The UK’s oldest polar bear has died at Yorkshire Wildlife Park soon after a quick health issues.

Victor, 22, turned unwell on Friday and “despite the ideal initiatives of the veterinary team” experienced to be euthanised right after being diagnosed with terminal kidney failure.

The park, where Victor had lived considering the fact that 2014, claimed he was “a good ambassador” for his species, inspiring generations and drawing attention to the plight of polar bears in the wild and the climate disaster.

“He will be greatly missed by every person,” the park claimed in a statement.

Victor was born at Rostock zoo in Germany before getting moved to Rhenen in the Netherlands. He was a member of the European breeding programme right until 2014 when he was rehomed to Yorkshire for his “retirement”.

In the course of his time in the breeding programme, he fathered 13 cubs and has quite a few grandchildren all-around the environment.

“Victor invested his times enjoying the lakes and expansive habitat in Venture Polar, one of the major reserves in the earth,” the park directors stated.

About the past five several years, he had been joined by four other polar bears: Pixel, Nissan, Nobby and, most recently, Rasputin. They are the only polar bears in England. The only other polar bears in the British isles live in the Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland.

The park’s directors thanked the vets who “responded so quickly” when Victor fell unwell and compensated tribute to the “dedicated employees who have cherished and cared for Victor” given that his arrival and while he was ill.

One particular of Victor’s lovers, Sarah Sanders, explained on Facebook: “We normally looked for Victor when we arrived – he was a favourite. [He was] these types of a gentle large. YWP you’ve presented him a excellent everyday living there. Condolences to all of his keepers.”