Kitambi, Phoenix Zoo's beloved African lion, dies

Chris Coppola | The Republic | azcentral.com

Kitambi, a beloved 8-year-old male African lion that was a star attraction at the Phoenix Zoo, has died.

Kitambi died Tuesday night after several days of showing signs of "acute lameness" and becoming increasingly lethargic since last Friday, according to an announcement by the Phoenix Zoo-Arizona Center for Nature Conservation posted on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

Zoo officials found he had cellulitis, an infection in his right rear leg, the statement said. A subsequent blood test determined he Kitambi was suffering from a "severe systemic infection," and he continued to deteriorate, despite IV fluids and antibiotics, officials said.

Kitambi's body was transported to Midwestern University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, where a full pathology exam and necropsy will be conducted, zoo officials said.

“It is a very difficult time for the Zoo family, especially for Kitambi’s immediate care team,” said Bert Castro, president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo. “The animals in our care become an extension of our family and Kitambi will be missed by many who cared for him.”

Kitambi, born at the Columbus Zoo Nov. 1, 2011, has been a resident of the Phoenix Zoo since 2012. He resided with 20-year-old female African lion, Cookie.

"Handsome. Magnificent. Breathtaking. Pick one and you’d be right. For millions of guests over the past seven years, Kitambi wasn’t just a beautiful animal; he was an experience,'' the zoo said, in describing the lion in its statement.

"Sometimes that experience was watching him enjoy his mid-morning naps. Other times, it was his awe-inspiring territorial call in the evening. And maybe it was just spending a few moments staring at his majesty. No matter when you saw Kitambi, the experience was both unique and profound."

According to its post, the Phoenix Zoo participates in the African Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This collaborative program oversees the population management of specific endangered species to help ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied AZA population.

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