ONE of the world’s oldest silverback gorillas has died aged 56.

Nico’s body was found on Sunday at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. He had died in his sleep.

2 Gorilla Nico lived in his own island in the middle of a lake at Longleat, fitted with classical pillars and his own television Credit: PA:Press Association

He lived on his own island in the middle of a lake in a purpose-built, centrally heated pad with his own television.

Nico, who once tipped the scales at 34 stone, arrived at the park from Switzerland in the 1980s.

He may have been even older than 56.

A spokesman said his main keeper was “devastated” after “working with Nico on a daily basis since 1989”.

2 Nico, whose 56th birthday was in July, passed away in his sleep on Sunday Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

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They added: ""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."

The oldest male gorilla is located in the USA, and was born in 1961 while the oldest female was born in 1956.