Adelaide Zoo Euthanases Bonded Lions Following Medical Incident

Adelaide Zoo has recently confirmed the euthanasia of its only African Lions, marking a significant loss for the institution. The decision came after 19-year-old male lion, Mujambi, suffered a medical episode over the weekend, prompting euthanasia on Thursday morning. Shortly thereafter, his bonded partner, 23-year-old lioness Amani, was also euthanased due to concerns about her welfare and wellbeing without Mujambi.

Elaine Bensted, the chief executive of Zoos SA, remarked on the difficult decision, emphasizing the importance of considering Amani’s quality of life post-Mujambi. “They were both aged, they were both under medical treatment for quite some time,” Bensted stated. “We really didn’t want Amani’s last, what might have been months, to be pining for the male that she’d been partnered with for so long.”

Adelaide Zoo director, Phil Ainsley, provided further context, explaining that lions are particularly social animals, making the integration of Amani into another pride or relocation to an alternative environment inherently challenging. “Lions, unlike some other species, are incredibly social,” Ainsley noted, highlighting that such transitions were not deemed to be in Amani’s best interest.

Amani, who turned 23 in May, held the distinction of being the oldest lioness in the country, while Mujambi, at age 19, had been the recipient of ongoing health evaluations due to various conditions, including past testicular cancer and seizures. While the precise cause of his medical episode remains undetermined, results from a necropsy are pending.

The relationship between the two lions, as described by Ainsley, was “quite remarkable.” Visitors often observed them closely bonded, frequently side by side, illustrating their strong connection over their 16 years together at the zoo.

Adelaide Zoo, with a legacy of hosting lions for 140 of its 141-year existence, now faces an interim period without the presence of these majestic creatures. A proposed new $10 million lion habitat remains unfunded, and in the meantime, the zoo plans to modify the former lion enclosure for its Sumatran tigers.

The zoo has expressed intentions to commemorate the lives of Mujambi and Amani in the days ahead, acknowledging the deep impact of their loss on both zoo staff and visitors. “It is a really sad day for the staff who’ve cared for them for so long,” Bensted reflected, underscoring the significant bond the lions had with those who cared for them over the years.