Zoo says goodbye to elderly lion Zawadi

Zawadi inspired millions, helping build a future for African lions in the wild

The Oregon Zoo bid a sad farewell today to Zawadi Mungu, elder statesman of the African lion pride and one of the oldest male lions in North America.

"He had paws the size of dinner plates and a roar so loud you could feel it in your chest," said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo's Africa area. "But he also had a goofy, playful personality that instantly endeared him to keeper staff."

In the wild, male lions seldom live past 12, and Zawadi, 18, had been slowing down for some time, caregivers said. Maintenance crews added ramps in the lion habitat to help him reach his favorite spot atop the rocks. And keepers worked with the veterinary team to develop a regimen of physical therapy and cold-laser treatments to strengthen his leg muscles and reduce inflammation.

"Our care team had such a great relationship with Zawadi," said Dr. Carlos Sanchez, the zoo's director of animal health. "Training and motivating a big male lion to participate in those exercises is quite a feat. Our PT consultants couldn't believe the keepers were able to do that."

Conservationists say Zawadi's legacy is one of hope for his species. African lions are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and according to some estimates could face extinction within the next 25 years.

"Living alongside wild lions in Mozambique, I've seen firsthand how a single encounter with these extraordinary animals can change a person forever," said Dr. Colleen Begg, director of the Niassa Carnivore Project, a group working to conserve lions by promoting coexistence and a shared respect for people, culture, wildlife and the environment. "Zawadi created that connection for millions who may never see a lion in the wild, and every one of those connections helps build a future where lions endure for generations to come."

Zawadi was born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2007 and came to Oregon in 2009 when the zoo opened its Predators of the Serengeti area. He fathered two litters of cubs here, and in 2014 was named the zoo's Father of the Year.

A video from that year shows the new dad meeting his cubs for the first time, fending off a flurry of pint-sized attacks on his mane, tail and patience. A dozen years later, it remains the zoo's most popular YouTube offering, with 28 million views.

Two of Zawadi's offspring - 11-year-olds Niara and Mashavu - still live at the Oregon Zoo. The rest are at other accredited zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan for African lions, a cooperative program aimed at supporting socially stable groups and maintaining a genetically diverse lion population at facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In November, Zawadi celebrated his 18th birthday with enrichment items and some of his favorite treats.

"He was pampered, as was fitting for such a distinguished big cat," Gomez said. "He had a whole team of veterinarians, nutritionists, keepers and maintenance staff working to give him the best life possible."