An extremely thin lion was seen slumped on the ground of its enclosure at a zoo sparking concerns among visitors.

Footage shows the emaciated big cat resting beside an almost dried-up mini pool at Manila Zoo in the Philippines on February 15.

The animal was facing backwards from the transparent glass of its cage while tourists were watching it.

Its backbone could be seen through its skin which sagged from a lack of fat and muscle density.

One of the concerned visitors said: 'The lion was caged and lonely. It did not look happy being in the zoo. I think the zoo needs help to get more funds.

'The animal looked like it had not eaten properly for a long time.'

The Manila City government-run zoo was allocated a renovation budget of 1.7 billion PHP (23.2 million GBP) in 2021. It also accepts donations to help fund its operation.

However, the funds appear not to have made their way to caring for the animals.

The Manila Zoo has been at the centre of several controversies over the years, including concerns about animal welfare, management, and the overall condition of the facility.

Many animal rights groups have protested against the zoo. In 2018, the death of a Malayan tiger sparked public outcry. The tiger was reportedly found dead in its cage, which raised concerns about how it had been treated and whether it had received proper veterinary care.

This incident led to increased scrutiny of the zoo's management practices and animal care protocols.