Staff at Oakland Zoo is grieving the loss of Leonard, the zoo’seldest African lion, who was put down Sunday.
“Our hearts go out to our Animal Care staff who took tremendous care of this magnificent being, and to Leonard himself,” zoo staff wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “Rest in peace, beautiful lion.”
Leonard, 19, was euthanized in consideration of its struggles with severe and progressive arthritis and kidney disease, according to the zoo.
The lion was brought to the Oakland Zoo along with its sister Sandy after the pair was rescued from a private home by Houston’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chapter, according to zookeeper Erica Calcagno, who took care of Leonard from the time it was a 6-month-old cub.
When Sandy died of cancer in 2016, Leonard was affected, zoo spokesperson Erin Harrison said.
“They were super closely bonded,” Harrison said. “For weeks afterwards, especially in the mornings, you would hear him roar.”
It helped when, in July 2016, three male cubs named Mandla, Tandie, and Gandia were introduced to the zoo’s African lion habitat, Harrison said.
“They would rub heads together, roar at each other, and check each other out constantly,” Harrison said. “It was definitely enriching to have the cubs in the habitat.”
The Oakland Zoo will be hosting a Lion Appreciation Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to raise awareness about African lions’ vulnerable species status.
photo credit:Â Colleen Renshaw – Oakland Zoo
Awwwww
Seems like he lived a long life. Sad he passed away and during Leo season. RIP handsome boy
What a sad day. My heartfelt condolences to Leonard’s friends and family. It may be quiet around the African lion habitat for a while. Or not.
It is a shame that lions are held in captivity for people’s viewing pleasure when they should be out free roaming in the wild. But then again, if he were out in the wild, he could be victimized by big game hunters like the dentist Walter Palmer and Eric Trump, who kill only because of pleasure.
The liberals can’t waste a good tragedy, can they.
Big game hunting brings in and incredible ammount of money for conservation. Sounds a little backwards, but hunting a few provides the funds to save many.
ALSO, sometimes these big game hunts are for a problem animal that the poor african nations would have to PAY to put down. Wouldnt it be better for the local population to get the money and meat.
While I never got to see him, what a beautiful and majestic animal he must have been. I’m sure he brought joy to so many zoo visitors. The Zoo has much to be proud of in the wonderful contributions it makes to the City of Oakland. Condolences to all the staff and volunteers at the zoo on this very sad day. Rest peacefully, Leonard.
Leonard the Lion was a beautiful animal, and spent his life lazing around in the high grasses at the zoo. We sat and watched him and the four other lions (lionesses) for many hours, just enjoying watching the wind ruffle his mane or see them stick their noses in the air, smelling the great smells of the neighborhood elephants and zebras.
One time, he stood up and roared quite loudly, and after four or five times, he flopped over on his side, as if those roars took every bit of his energy.
He will be missed : (
I want to see these animals so badly but I refuse to contribute money to cramped enclosures.
These animals need to roam miles per day & hunt food. A sanctuary on hundreds of acres would be best & it could have a protected-vehicle driving thru the sanctuary to see them.
Cramped enclosures? Have you ever been to the Oakland zoo?
The lion habitats? Cramped?
A lot of those animals at Oakland Zoo are rescues that can’t live in the wild. Bears would have been euthanized, Mountain Lions were orphaned early & have only known human care.
@DVC Student If you’ve never been to the Oakland Zoo, I really recommend it. The animals have large areas to roam and their habitats are specifically recreated. They all seem very happy and the zoo personnel are well trained in keeping them that way. It is a great zoo right here in the East Bay. There are something like 525 acres for about 700 or so animals, so they actually have more room than people do in a subdivision.
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/