ONE of the tigers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has died.

ONE of the tigers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has died.

Tira, one of two six-year-old female Bengal tigers at the Wraxall attraction, died on Sunday as a result of a disease called Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Tira gave birth to three cubs last month - only one of which survived and is now being hand reared by keepers.

According to zoo farm owner Anthony Bush, FIP is fairly common in cats but only when the virus mutates can it cause severe symptoms.

Tira's body was severely affected by the virus, which resulted in organ failure, and it is likely the disease had been developing for many months.

The tiger keepers are said to be devastated by Tira's death after working alongside vets for the last few weeks to make her better.