Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is deeply saddened to report the death of its female African lion. The 14-year-old lion, �Chloe,� was euthanized by the Zoo's veterinary care staff this morning after medical tests determined she was suffering from advanced renal failure.
�We didn't want Chloe to suffer,� said General Curator Geoff Hall. �So the veterinarians and animal care staff made the very difficult decision to euthanize her. As hard a choice as it was, we knew it was the right thing to do for her.�
Chloe had been at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since 1998 and was one of two lions on exhibit in the African Savanna. Her exhibit mate, Moufasa, is also 14 and is Chloe's half-brother. Both of them were born at Zoo World in Panama City, Florida.
Though lions were once common throughout most of Africa, they are now primarily found in protected grasslands south of the Sahara Desert and in parts of southern and eastern Africa. They are classified as �vulnerable� in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In the wild, lions have a life expectancy of 14 years, and can live up to 20 years in zoos.
For more information, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.
