MESSAGES of condolence and well wishes have poured in to Hunter Valley Zoo after the death of Bruiser, the male lion.
The zoo used its social media pages on Tuesday to break the news that the 20-year-old lion had "passed away in his sleep."
"It is with an extremely heavy and broken heart that we have to share our beautiful male lion, Bruiser, passed away in his sleep last night," the statement said.
"We are so honoured to have cared for Bruiser over the past four years, and every keeper at Hunter Valley Zoo will forever hold a special place for him in our hearts.
"Bruiser was 20 years old, and the oldest male lion in Australia, living 10 years over the average life span for a lion in the wild. Rest easy big guy, we will miss you."
Jason Pearson, the owner of Hunter Valley Zoo, sat with Bruiser as he "went".
He told the Newcastle Herald they appreciated all of the words of support.
"It has been really tough on everyone," Mr Pearson said.
"He was just a really cool cat. He was easy to work with, and a beautiful-looking lion.
"It was just old age. For a male lion, kidney and liver failure is really common when they reach any age over 15.
"The average lifespan in the wild is only about eight or nine or so. In captivity it is about 15.
"Even though we all knew he was old, it was still devastating for everyone who looks after him. And he has a big fan base in the public too. He is certainly leaving a big gap."
Mr Pearson said Bruiser had outlived his son and brother, but he was survived by his wife, Kuchani, and daughter, Asali - at the zoo.
Bruiser was bred at Mogo Zoo. He then lived at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, before he moved to Nulkaba's Hunter Valley Zoo four years ago.
Fans of the "magnificent" animal have paid their respects on social media.
"We had the privilege of seeing him with our grand-babies and we were all in awe of him. RIP Bruiser, you'll always be the King of the Jungle," one wrote.
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