Endangered Lion Cub Dies Weeks After Her Birth at Tennessee Zoo: 'Heartbreaking Loss'

Mar. 15, 2025

Zuri following her birth on June 16.Photo: Zoo Knoxville/Facebook

According to a release from Zoo Knoxville, the female cub’s mother, Amara, fatally injured the 4-week-old lion on July 14 following a medical procedure to help treat the lioness' acute renal deficiency.

“This is a devastating and heartbreaking loss. It was the request of her keepers that she be named ‘Zuri,’ which is Swahili for ‘beautiful,’ and that is how we will remember her. Life can be fragile and fleeting, and while this is a reality of our profession, it doesn’t make us immune from the pain of losing an animal. We are grateful for the sympathy and support of our community and colleagues,” Lisa New, Zoo Knoxville’s president and CEO, said in a statement on the cub’s death provided to PEOPLE.

In its release, Zoo Knoxville added that it is monitoring Amara for signs of distress and grief and that the lioness is continuing treatment for her kidney issues.

Zoo Knoxville/Facebook

Amara gave birth to her late cub on June 16, according to aJuly Facebook post from Zoo Knoxville. The cub was Amara’s third offspring with her mate Upepo.

At the time, the zoo said the newborn was “healthy and thriving” but that “Amara experienced complications with the delivery.”

The Tennessee facility added that Amara showed signs of labor after the cub was born. Zookeepers performed an ultrasound on the lioness and discovered she had a stillborn cub stuck in her birth canal.

“Veterinarians fromUTCVM-University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicinequickly performed emergency surgery. Although the surgery was successful, Amara was slow to rebound afterward, and further tests diagnosed acute renal insufficiency,” Zoo Knoxville wrote on social media.

“Amara is currently being treated with medication and showing improvement. Her care team is cautiously optimistic that they can continue to manage the condition with oral medications, fluid therapy, and voluntary care,” the facility added at the time.

Zoo Knoxville is home to three African lions—male Upepo and females Zarina and Amara.

source: people.com