A lion that has been nicknamed Corgi for his short legs has become a star attraction in China.

Corgi, the adorable four-year-old feline, has become a favourite at Jiudingshan Wildlife Zoo in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Footage shows the African lion playfully kicking a yellow ball inside its enclosure, much like a house pet.

The zoo's gentlest resident is known for its calm temperament and friendly nature.

Zookeeper Xiao Cai said: 'Corgi was bullied by other lions because of its smaller size, so it now lives in a separate enclosure.

'The lion is one of our favourites, and I hope that one day Corgi can meet visitors, because it's really very cute.'

The zoo said Corgi is in good health, eating well, and staying active each day, although he is currently unable to socialise with the other lions.

The lion has a rare congenital condition called systemic chondrodysplasia - a form of dwarfism that causes disproportionately short, thick limbs. The condition is a skeletal abnormality resulting from a failure of normal bone development from cartilage.