A MEMORIAL service has been held at Borth Wild Animal Kingdom following the death of one of the zoo’s star attractions.

Rajah, a 22-year-old African leopard, died after a short period of illness.

A memorial service was held at the zoo on Sunday evening where people could pay their respects and light candles in his memory.

In a Facebook post, zoo owner Tracy Tweedy said: “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you all, Rajah, our very elderly African Leopard, passed away during the night.

“He had been unwell for a couple of days and the vet had been out to give him painkillers and antibiotics in the hope that it was just a minor infection, but it appears that his age finally caught up with him.

“He will be sorely missed by so many people.”

Rajah, who used to be somebody’s pet, has been at the zoo for many years.

He hit the headlines on a number of occasions before the Tweedys bought the zoo.

In 2010 he refused to budge when he faced being rehoused at a cat rescue centre following a registration dispute.

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