Kamaia the lion, who died at the Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday. Photo: Zoo New England
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Zoo New England says it had to euthanize one of its lions at the Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday.
Kamaia had lived at the zoo since 2015. The zoo says the animal had to be euthanized after chronic health issues came to the fore this summer.
That includes anemia, a severe case of pneumonia, and two surgeries this summer.
He was 14, which is just about the average lifespan for a lion in the wild, though National Geographic says lions can live up to a quarter-century in captivity.
Zoo New England President John Linehan called the lion "an incredible ambassador for his species" in a written statement.
Kamaia's caretakers say he loved doing thing like "tearing into boxes and bags to look for the treats hidden inside, as well as rolling in unusual scents."
He leaves behind a brother at the zoo, Dinari.
WBZ's Chaiel Schaffel (@CschaffelWBZ) reports:
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