One of the world's oldest silverback gorillas has died at the ripe old age of 56.

Nico celebrated his last birthday in July and died in his sleep on Sunday at Longleat Safari Park.

He spent most of his life at the park in Wiltshire where he lived in the middle of an island, in a purpose-built house that was centrally-heated and complete with classical pillars and a TV.

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Nico celebrated his last birthday in July and died in his sleep on Sunday at Longleat Safari Park

He spent most of his life at the park in Wiltshire where he lived in the middle of an island, in a purpose-built house that was centrally-heated and complete with classical pillars and a TV

Nico is pictured admiring his home, where he lived for many years after moving from Switzerland

A spokesman for Longleat said on Facebook: 'Everyone here has been truly saddened by the death of Nico.

'His main keeper has been working with Nico virtually on a daily basis since 1989 and has forged an extraordinarily close bond with him.

'It goes without saying that he is particularly devastated by the loss along with the rest of his keeping team who have cared for Nico over the years.'

Keepers were unsure of Nico's exact age and there was a likelihood he may have been older than 56. He was moved to the UK from Switzerland in the 1980s.

The silverback gorilla is pictured on his 56th birthday chowing down on some food

The gorilla, who once tipped the scales at 34 stone, lived on his own island in the middle of a lake at Longleat in a purpose-built, centrally-heated house, complete with classical pillars and his own television.

He also had a series of lookout stations and giant tree trunk climbing frames where he could sit and watch the antics of the nearby colony of three younger gorillas - brothers Kesho, Evindi and Alf.

The oldest male gorilla in the world lives in the USA and was born in 1961 while the oldest female, who also lives in America, was born in 1956.

Keepers were unsure of Nico's exact age and there was a likelihood he may have been even older than 56