A much-loved gorilla has died at a Kent wild animal park, leaving keepers “deeply saddened”.

They are mourning the death of Tebe - a western lowland gorilla who had lived at Howletts for 43 years.

She was rescued aged just two from a research centre in the Gabon by the late John Aspinall and became one of the park’s favourite characters.

Keepers say she died this week after suffering a heart attack.

Posting on the Howletts Wild Animal Park Instagram account, keepers say: “It is with deep sadness we announce the death of Tebe, our much- loved 45-year-old western lowland gorilla.

“Tebe suffered an acute cardiac event which sadly she was unable to recover from.

She was a strong character and a much-loved gorilla by keepers and visitors alike.

“Intelligent, observant and inquisitive, Tebe always made new keepers work to win her affection but once earned, she was a joy to work with, forming close bonds with her keepers.

”But Tebe’s legacy lives on through her two sons, Ebeki who heads up a family group at Howletts and Kebu who has been returned to the wild and lives in the Congo.”

The loss of Tebe has prompted an outpouring of sadness and sympathy among Howletts Instagram followers.

“Sorry to hear this, what a wonderful mother. But her legacy lives on with a son back in the wild in Congo,” wrote one.

“So sad, but also so wonderful that she was rescued and could live her life in safety,” wrote another.

To honour Tebe’s memory, Howletts is encouraging its supporters to donate to its partners at @theaspinallfoundation to help support the charity’s collaborative conservation work with gorillas in Gabon and the Congo.