BOSSES at Colchester Zoo have announced a “beloved” sealion has died after 19 years at the attraction.

Paris the sealion died on Wednesday during surgery after action was taken to remedy a degenerating inner ear infection which wasn’t responding to treatment.

Zoo teams say the death of the family favourite animal aged about 21 is “like losing a member of your family” after she arrived at the Maldon Road attraction in 2003.

She had been under veterinary observation and treatment for the ear infection but after there was no luck with treatment, experts investigated further via general anaesthesia.

Paris underwent an examination so vets could provide the necessary further treatments or, if needed, a surgical intervention.

“Unfortunately, Paris passed away during the surgery despite all best efforts taken to help her,” a zoo statement said today.

It added: “Losing an animal is like losing a member of your family, it is the most difficult part of the job for any animal keeper.

“Our thoughts are with the animal care team who worked closely with Paris; some have even cared for her since she arrived at the zoo in 2003.”

Paris’s exact date of birth is unknown but she was aged about 21when she died, it has been said.

Zoo team leader Kirsty Lawman, one of the sealion’s keepers, said: “Paris was the boss of the group with a big personality, she was the largest of them all as she loved her food and was ruled by her belly.

“You’d know when Paris was around as she had the loudest roar and was very good at making a grand entrance into the pool with a big splash.

“We will miss Paris terribly and Playa Patagonia will not be the same without her.”

The animal care team has now said it will be providing support to its sealions to help them recover, and extra attention will be given over the coming weeks for reassurance.

A zoo statement added: “In time it will be interesting to see which one of the sealions will take the role of boss but for now it is with no doubt that the remaining sealions will also miss Paris.”