Lion at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary dies after battle with cancer

The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary announced Tuesday that one of its lions died on July 10.

"X-rays showed he had advanced stages of cancer in several areas and no treatment would have eased future suffering or provided the quality of life he deserved. The decision to let them go is never easy and the responsibility to make that determination is never taken lightly," Catty Shack Ranch wrote in a tribute to Tal on its website.

"His larger than life personality endeared him to all the visitors and volunteers. He was our 'Complaint Department' and our 'Grumpy Old Man,'" the ranch said.

Also in the tribute, the ranch said that Tal was "smitten" with lioness Nyra and that they "were a true royal couple."