Sep 20, 2008 11:20 am US/Eastern
Maryland Zoo Lion Euthanized
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Tsavo, the Maryland Zoo's 16-year-old male lion, was euthanized late Friday by zoo veterinarians.
In June, Tsavo was diagnosed with lymphoma and he had been under treatment for the cancer, as well as other age-related afflictions.
"Lymphoma is the most common cancer diagnosed in domestic cats, and is not uncommon in lions," said Dr. Ellen Bronson, senior veterinarian at the Maryland Zoo. "Tsavo was being treated with an oral chemotherapy drug that is used to treat domestic cats, but to our knowledge, it had never been used to treat a lion. In recent weeks his spleen and liver had decreased in size indicating that the treatment was having some positive affect, however he had multiple age-related medical issues and it was this combination of factors that led to his debilitation."
This week, the animal care staff noticed distinct changes in Tsavo's activity and behavior and, realizing that his quality of life was deteriorating with little hope of improvement, veterinarians and animal care staff made the decision to euthanize him.
"The keepers who care for the lions kept a close eye on his behavior, making it possible to provide him with a good quality of life throughout his treatment," said Rebecca Gullott, mammal collection and conservation manager. "Tsavo was an elderly lion, and although the staff is quite sad, we are pleased that we were able to give him a good life throughout his eight years here at the Zoo."
Tsavo was born in July 1992 at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Ore. He came to The Maryland Zoo in November of 2000.
"This is a bittersweet week for the Zoo," stated Don Hutchinson, interim president/CEO of the Zoo. "We received the good news about our accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) earlier this week, and then sadly, we suffer the loss of Tsavo. He was a very handsome lion, majestic with his large dark mane, and he will be deeply missed by Zoo staff, volunteers and guests."
The zoo has one other lion, Cuma, a 12-year-old female. The Maryland Zoo will work with the AZA Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) to procure another male as a companion for Cuma.
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