'He was such a beautiful boy' - Outpouring of emotional tributes as Dudley Zoo's Sumatran tiger João dies
There has been an outpouring of tributes by the public following news of the death of João, one of the most popular members of Dudley Zoo
The zoo announced on Tuesday morning that the 13-year-old Sumatran Tiger had died after a short illness on Monday, saying that all at the zoo were devastated by the sudden passing of João.
He was described by the zoo as a real gentle giant who was not only much-loved by everyone at Dudley Zoo, including his dedicated keepers, but was also a firm favourite with visitors and a wonderful ambassador for his species.
The announcement of João's death on the zoo's Facebook page has seen a huge outpouring of tributes, with many people speaking of how much they enjoyed seeing him on their visits to the zoo.
Jodie Tolley said: "Oh no, this is so sad, we always loved to see him on our trips", while WildCats Conservation Alliance paid tribute to João by saying: "So saddened to hear of the passing of this beautiful ambassador for wild tiger conservation."
Margaret Quinn said she loved taking her grandchildren to the zoo to see the tigers and offered her own tribute to João.
She said: "So sorry to hear this sad news.
"We came to the Zoo in Dudley earlier in the year and the highlight for me and my Grandson and now my Great Grandsons was the Tigers. They are such beautiful majestic animals.
"So sorry for all who had the honour of seeing and caring for João over the years. He will be missed. R.I.P. João."
Hollie Gordon spoke about his keepers, saying: "Thinking of all his keepers. He was such a beautiful boy and one i always looked forward to seeing. Sleep tight João."
Ellis Toft said that the children he and a colleague looked after as childminders were going to be heartbroken at the news.
He said: "Oh Hannah Bate, this is the saddest news. Our mindees are going to be heartbroken on Friday.
"They loved his paws and comparing them to his. He would lay beside the glass for ages as they measured themselves against him."
Gillian Peters offered her own tributes, saying that João's companion Daseep would be missing him.
She said: "This is so sad to hear. Always go to see both of them when I come to the Zoo.
"Fly high João over the rainbow bridge sweetheart. Lots of love to Daseep and I bet she will miss him bless her."
To read more of the tributes being left for João, go to the Dudley Zoo Facebook page.
