The Memphis Zoo’s only male lion died last week, the zoo announced Monday morning.
The zoo said in a morning Facebook post that Thabo the lion died Thursday at age 16. The lion had surgery that day to remove a bladder stone that had “been causing him significant pain.” The procedure was a “calculated risk,” the zoo said, given Thabo’s age.
“Despite the best efforts of our skilled veterinary and keeper teams, Thabo stopped breathing during recovery, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful,” reads the zoo’s post. “Our staff performed heroically, and their grief mirrors that of everyone who knew and loved him.”
Thabo was born at Tulsa Zoo in 2009. For nearly 15 years, the lion was one of the first and last animals to be seen by zoo visitors at the Cat Country exhibit.
“Known for his early morning and evening roars that echoed across the zoo, Thabo embodied the spirit of the King of the Beasts,” the zoo said in its post. “He was not fond of early mornings or rainy days but loved Bone Day enrichment, breezy afternoons, and sharing affectionate head bumps with his pride. His steady gaze and powerful presence inspired awe and sparked a love of lions in guests of all ages.
“Though the roar of Cat Country has quieted, Thabo’s legacy and the happiness he brought will forever echo in the hearts of all who stood in awe of him.”
To honor his memory, the zoo will allow cards and flowers to be placed at the lion statue on the Avenue of Animals, the row of big animal statues at the zoo’s entrance.