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MUCH-LOVED LION DIES AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO - Oklahoma City Zoo

The Oklahoma City Zoo is sad to announce the death of Aslan, an 18-year-old African lion, on March 30, 2012. A favorite with Zoo guests, Aslan was often seen perched on top of the hill in Lion Overlook, surveying his “kingdom” and sometimes treating guests to a mane-shaking roar.

Aslan had been nauseated and not eating well before his annual wellness exam in January. During the exam, Zoo veterinarians noticed that his spleen was markedly enlarged. A biopsy of the spleen showed that Aslan was suffering from small cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer that is resistant to treatment, especially in big cats. Aslan was given the steroid prednisone to slow the progression of the disease and ease some of his discomfort, and given extra food to help fight weight loss.

Aslan spent his last days enjoying the sunshine in Lion Overlook with his two mates, Bridget and Tia.

“For a while his quality of life was still good. He was still eating and could move around his habitat and seemed to be fairly comfortable,” said Jennifer D’Agostino, Director of Veterinary Services. “Once he became noticeably weak and could no longer stand up, we had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him.”

Born in 1996, Aslan arrived at the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2007 from the Knoxville Zoo as part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation. Many Zoo fans will remember the resulting birth of four lion cubs in November of 2007. First-time moms Bridget and Tia gave birth within two days of each other; Bridget had a male and a female and Tia had two females. Those cubs, named Xerxes, Malaika, Zari and Kalliope, were hand-raised by Zoo staff and remained on view at the Zoo until they moved as a group to the El Paso Zoo in January 2010.

“Aslan was a wonderful cat,” said Laura Bottaro, Curator of Mammals. “We are all very saddened by his passing and will remember him fondly.”

If you would like to share your memories and thoughts about Aslan, please go to the Zoo’s Facebook fan page at Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden - Concert Venue, Zoo/Aquarium - Oklahoma City, OK | Facebook. Photos of Aslan will be added to the Zoo’s website at okczoo.com and on the fan page. Your photos and memories are welcome.

-okczoo-
 
If I remember correctly, not to bring up bad pasts, Aslan also used to reside at Sacremento Zoo where he killed his exhibit mate "Samantha" after years of coexisting peacefully
 
The zoo's male Harpy Eagle moved to Dallas Zoo for breeding purposes.

On June 25th, Bom-Bom a 36-year-old silverback died after going into cardiac arrest.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
A playground for physically disabled children has opened up.
KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories - Zoo Creates Playground for Children With Physical Disabilities
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Good for them - really fantastic. (Having made two trips to western Europe in the last few years I was shocked at how far behind even other so called first world countries are in this regard, compared to the USA. I stayed in hotels in France and England that would never get occupation permits here - not because they are run down, but because they have stairs with no elevators or halls too narrow for a wheelchair to fit.)
 
Drew said:
This was not at Oklahoma City Zoo but some roadside attraction called the Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Park according to the article in the link.
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Thanks for pointing that out, and it is definitely important to clarify which zoological park the incident took place in. I should have caught that myself!
 
That's a normal occurrence at GW. one of my best friends was bitten by a tiger there.
 
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