One of the most popular animals at Dudley Zoo, Max the lion, has died. The 15-year-old, who had lived at the zoo since he was a cub, had been unwell for some time.

Keepers said for an Asiatic lion he had reached a ripe old age.

They added in the wild it is unlikely he would have survived into double figures.

Senior curator Matt Lewis said when he went into the enclosure on Thursday morning he discovered Max was very poorly and he died a few hours later.

He said: “It’s very sad, Max was a real character and so lively. I looked after him along with my wife and he recognised us when we walked past the enclosure, he was undoubtedly one of the most popular animals.

“His roar was very impressive and would make you jump out of your skin.

“As with every animals that died at the zoo there will be a post mortem but I would expect it to show that he died from old age.”

Max had a mate Kir – the name of a forest in India where Asiatics are found.

Kir is 14-years-old and Mr Lewis said she was looking her age after bearing eight cubs with Max, which are now at zoos all over Europe.

Chief executive Peter Suddock said he was saddened by news. He added plans were still underway to revamp the lion enclosure. It was hoped repairs to the listed Tecton building would be finished by summer but the revamp has been held up by a planning wrangle.