THE ISLE of Wight Zoo has confirmed today (Thursday) that Aysha the Bengal tiger has died at the age of 21.

The zoo announced that Aysha died last night following a gradual decline in health.

Vets at the zoo had concluded yesterday that as a result of her failing health they would have to say goodbye to the iconic Islander.

Aysha and her brother Diamond, came to the Isle of Wight Zoo in the Autumn of 1998 when they were just three months old.

Diamond passed away five years ago, Aysha lived to the grand age of 21, a great age even for a tiger living in human care.

Charlotte Corney, founder of the The Wildheart Trust said: “I’ll never forget the day that Aysha and her twin brother Diamond arrived.

"She jumped up to greet me and came up to my knee. With her signature scrubbed off nose and cheery chuffs she took me captive from day one.”

Aysha became famous for her kitten like attitude and her comfortability around zoo guests, drawing in regulars who came specifically to see her.

The Zoo’s education manager Tracy Dove commented: “Schools used to love that Aysha would see or hear them coming down to her enclosure.

"She would stop whatever she was doing and run over to see us, chuffing and rubbing her head along the fence.

"She would happily chuff into the microphone and broadcast her thoughts to the entire audience.”

Chalotte Corney added: "Aysha put the A into ‘ambassador’.

"She sparkled and shone her way into each and every heart. We were all fortunate enough to meet her and now she leaves a smiley, stripy scar on those same hearts.”

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