Britain's oldest tiger Tango, who appeared in Esso's 1990s "Put a Tiger in Your Tank" advertisements, has passed away at the age of 22.

Tango's tragic death came two years after he was rescued from a German circus. The Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park has received about 1,000 message of sympathy after announcing the tiger's death. He was put to sleep due to worsening health and old age.

Like Us on Facebook

Tigers usually live to about 16 years old, but not Tango. He was given a cardboard birthday cake filled with meat during his 20^th milestone. During that time, Ben Pascoe, the head keeper of the park said that Tango was "equivalent of about an 80-year-old man and I don't know of any 80-year-old men that are still running about."

Before Tango was sold to the circus, he was one of the seven Tigers to have appeared in Esso's iconic "Put a Tiger in Your Tank" advertisement campaigns. In the German circus, he worked with his partner named Julia until they were seized sometime in 2013 by Belgian and German authorities due to their ill-treatment.

Tango and Julia were nearly put to sleep by the authorities, but the Park launched a six-month rescue campaign and raised £250,000 ($330,000) to save their lives. In 2014, both tigers were moved to their new home in Lincolnshire.

Despite his rough past, the Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park said with certainty that Tango spent the remaining years of his retired life peaceful and happy.

In memory of Tango, Neil Mumby, the director of Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park, said: "Because he was quite old when he came to us, I would say Tango has always been a gentleman."

Mumby and the team announced that they are honoring the suggestions of Tango's fan and are currently working on a memorial to remember him.