MIAMI — Zoo Miami is mourning the death of Jabari, a beloved 17-year-old “iconic” male lion who was euthanized Thursday after years of battling chronic arthritis and related mobility issues, zoo officials confirmed.
Jabari, who arrived at Zoo Miami in 2008 from the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin alongside his brother, Kwame, was the zoo’s last remaining adult male lion.
According to Zoo Miami communications director Ron Magill, Jabari exceeded the typical lifespan of a male lion in the wild, which rarely surpasses 12 years.
Magill said Jabari’s arthritis, primarily in his upper spine, had progressively limited his range of motion.
Despite extensive treatments aimed at preserving his comfort and quality of life, zoo veterinarians determined that further care would not alleviate his suffering.
During his time at Zoo Miami, Jabari fathered several cubs and became the only adult male lion in the zoo’s history to lead a pride and share a habitat with both a female and cubs — a rare setup in managed care that made him a standout among visitors and staff alike.
The zoo stated that Jabari’s lineage lives on through cubs now residing in other zoos across the country, continuing his legacy.
Lions are currently classified as “threatened” in the wild, with populations occupying less than 10% of their historic range, according to Magill.
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