BERLIN CENTER, Ohio - A lion suffering from intestinal cancer at a Mahoning County exotic animal sanctuary has been euthanized.

According to a Facebook post from Noah's Lost Ark Exotic Animal Rescue Center in Berlin Center, a lion by the name of Jao was humanely euthanized by the sanctuary's veterinarian team Monday afternoon.

The post states Jao's health was declining rapidly and he had not been eating. Sanctuary Director Ellen Karnofel told 21 News Jao would go days without eating intermittently for the past five years, but he had his longest streak this year not eating for over a week.

Posts dating back to August 15 reveal sanctuary staff were doing everything in their power to get Jao to eat again, at one point calling on the public for wild game donations.

Karnofel tells 21 News the sanctuary also got its vet to run blood tests and ultrasounds on Jao, but everything came back negative. Jao was also given medication to entice him to eat, but that didn't work either.

In the end, the sanctuary made the decision to euthanize Jao Monday afternoon. Karnofel tells 21 News she could tell his quality of life was deteriorating and the "light in his eyes" had gone.

After Jao was euthanized, the vet determined he was suffering from intestinal cancer. Karnofel explained that this is very hard to detect from a simple blood test.

"An animal can't really tell you what hurts," Karnofel said.

It is unknown how the vet determined Jao's condition.

According to the post, Jao is survived by his baby sister Josephine. The full statement can be read below.

"It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of Jao the Lion. Jao was humanely euthanized by our veterinarian team this afternoon. He was declining rapidly and still not eating. We needed to end his suffering and let him go. We will never forget you Jao, your big personality, your giant paws and the goofy way you walked in and out of that tire toy you had since a cub. We promise to take great care of your baby sister Josephine. We truly will miss you big guy. We will see you again! Run free with no fences and roar with the angels. Goodbye for now. We love you Jao! ?? Thank you to everyone who cared, prayed, and donated meat. Bless you all."