African lion known for ‘impressive roar and magnificent mane’ dies at Missouri zoo
An African lion’s “impressive roar and magnificent mane” was a staple of the St. Louis Zoo for years. Ingozi would bask in the Missouri sunshine on a raised platform as guests perused throughout the zoo.
On Nov. 18, the zoo announced that 17-year-old Ingozi had died.
“He was humanely euthanized on Friday, Nov. 15, due to advanced liver and spinal disease,” the zoo said in a Facebook post.
The lion that grew up to have an “impressive roar” was born in 2007 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. He moved to St. Louis when he was 1 year old and eventually bonded with lioness Cabara, the zoo said.
The two parented multiple litters of cubs, working together to care for them, according to the post.
“He was an attentive mate to Cabara and enjoyed staying by her side,” according to the zoo.
Eventually, their cubs grew up, moved to other zoos and had litters of their own. Now, Ingozi is known for being a great-great-grandparent, according to the zoo.
Cabara is now 19 and is continuing to live out her “golden years” in St. Louis, the zoo said.
In zoos, lions can live into their early 20s, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
African lions are considered a vulnerable species, the institute said. They roam open plains and dry areas across Africa, according to the Smithsonian.
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 5:34 PM with the headline "African lion known for ‘impressive roar and magnificent mane’ dies at Missouri zoo."
