MIAMI — Zoo Miami is mourning the loss of Kwame, the zoo’s last remaining lion. He was euthanized after zoo officials said chronic health issues left him in significant discomfort.
Zoo Miami’s communications director Ron Magill said Kwame would have turned 18 on Saturday, well beyond the typical lifespan of a male lion in the wild, which rarely exceeds 12 years.
Magill said Kwame had been treated for arthritis for several years, particularly in his upper spine, which limited his mobility.
In recent weeks, his hindquarters weakened, and despite multiple treatments to manage pain, zoo staff determined there was no way to improve his quality of life.
The zoo’s Animal Health and Animal Science teams said it was a “difficult decision” to euthanize Kwame.
Magill said Kwame arrived at Zoo Miami in November 2008 with his brother, Jabari, from the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin. The pair fathered several cubs and became favorites among the millions of visitors who saw them over the years. Jabari passed away in July.
He said Zoo Miami plans to bring in new lions through the Lion Species Survival Plan, part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ conservation programs. The new pride will continue the legacy of Kwame, Jabari, and the lions that came before them.
Lions are considered “threatened” in the wild, where they now occupy less than 10% of their historic range. Human conflict and habitat loss are major threats, as more than half of their habitat overlaps with people and livestock, according to zoo officials.
Magill said Zoo Miami supports conservation efforts in Africa through organizations like Lion Landscapes and participates in the AZA SAFE program, which helps protect wild lions and their communities.
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