El Paso Zoo announces death of African Lioness
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A 15-year-old African lioness named Zari has died, according to the El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
According to the Zoo, staff euthanized Zari after discovering she had bile duct cancer that had metastasized and could not be treated further.
“The name Zari means ‘Golden’ and she was just that, in every way; in her beauty, her demeanor, her love for her pride, especially her sisters,” said Amanda Leverett, El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens Collections Supervisor. “We will all miss her golden ways.”
Zari came to the El Paso Zoo along with her siblings Kalliope and Malaika. Lioness Kalliope also passed away due to cancer back in 2021. Thus, the zoo is now home to only one other female lion, Malaika, and one male lion, Hodari. In the wild, female lions have a longer life span of 15-16 years on average. Wild male lions only live about 8-10 years. Rest in peace Zari!
