A beloved 17-year-old lion has died due to overheating during a scorching heatwave, leaving her carers 'heartbroken'.

The Carolina Tiger Rescue said staff had battled more than 24 hours to save Sheba.

But tragically the lioness died at her North Carolina Animal Sanctuary home last Tuesday, amid a searing heatwave that swept the US..

The non-profit wildcat sanctuary said Sheba had begun vomiting after eating her meal.

Despite working day and night to attempt treatment, they were unable to save her after her severe heat exhaustion caused her organs to fail.

Its Facebook post said everyone who had cared for the lion was "heartbroken" over her death: "Unfortunately her age made her more susceptible to the increased temperatures.

"It is likely that her kidneys and liver were already not in the best of condition before this and simply couldn’t handle the additional stress.

"At 17 plus years of age, most cats have some kidney issues or other health issues that make them more fragile."

Sheba was moved to the sanctuary from Texas in 2010 and was the matriarch of her pride, who staff said kept male lions Sebastian and Tarzan in line.

The heatwave that gripped much of the central US and East Coast last week saw temperatures soaring into the high 30s in parts of North Carolina.

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