It is with extreme sadness we share news that our 8-year-old African male lion, Boboo, (pronounced Bah-boo) was humanely euthanized on Friday, June 28.
Boboo was anesthetized Friday morning for an exam due to rapid weight loss, intermittent interest in food, progressive lethargy and had not been responding to medical treatment. Initial examination and then subsequent exploratory surgery revealed what appears to be an aggressive form of cancer involving both kidneys and the spleen. Given the grave prognosis, veterinarians and keeper staff made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Boboo. Necropsy and histopathology results are pending. Boboo had an annual exam in May with a clean bill of health showing just how aggressive this cancer was.
Boboo came to the Phoenix Zoo in 2019 from the Columbus Zoo and had recently bred with the zoo's female African lion, Zuri, resulting in his first successful litter of two cubs. The cubs were born on June 3, 2024. While we do not know the sexes of the cubs at this time, we are grateful his genetics will continue through his offspring and contribute to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan population.
This has been a time of great joy at the zoo as Zuri and her two cubs are doing very well and exceeding expectations with their growth. Zuri is an excellent first-time mom and keeper staff are proud of the milestones the cubs are reaching. Zuri and the cubs have been in an off-exhibit den bonding since they were born, and the zoo is holding to the plan that the cubs will still remain in the den until late summer/early fall before they make their way into their habitat at the Predator Passage area of the zoo.
Boboo was loved by his keepers, zoo staff, members and guests. The zoo will definitely be quieter without his familiar roars and calls. We are comforted that he became a part of his own pride this year and his legacy will live on.
Linda Hardwick is the vice president of marketing, communications and events for the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix.
