ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo announced via Facebook that Ingozi, the 17-year-old African lion, was humanely euthanized on Friday, Nov. 15, due to advanced liver and spinal disease.

What You Need To Know

  • Ingozi, the 17-year-old African lion, was humanely euthanized on Nov. 15 due to advanced liver and spinal disease

  • Ingozi came to the Saint Louis Zoo from the San Diego Zoo before his first birthday
  • Ingozi's mate, Cabara, will remain at the Big Country Cat enclosure

  • Ingozi's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildrent, and so on live in Zoos around the U.S.

He was born in the San Diego Zoo in 2007 and moved to the Saint Louis Zoo just ahead of his first birthday. Cabara, the 19-year-old lioness, who shared the enclosure with Ingozi, will remain in her Big Cat Country home she’s known for over 17 years. Skilled Animal Care and Animal Health teams will continue dedicating specialized care for her. 

Ingozi and Cabara sired multiple litters of lion cubs who grew and moved on to make their own families in other zoos. Ingozi and Cabara’s bloodline has already extended multiple generations of lions. 

Ingozi may be best known for his bellowing roar and brilliant mane. The zoo says he was attentive to Cabara and always by her side. When visiting the zoo, guests usually found Ingozi resting on the raised platform in the middle of the enclosure. 

“Ingozi will be greatly missed by his care team and all who knew him,” stated the Saint Louis Zoo.