18-year-old lion dies at Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton

Azizi the African lion has died at the Magnetic Hill Zoo.

A nearly 18-year-old lion that spent most of his life at the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton has been euthanized following years of geriatric care.

The zoo confirmed Azizi, who arrived in Moncton in 2009 with a female lion named Amara, suffered declining health in recent days after years on a welfare plan. The zoo decided to euthanize him to prevent unnecessary suffering.

“From the beginning, he captured the hearts of staff and visitors and quickly became a guest favourite among the millions of people who visited him over his lifetime,” a statement from the zoo reads. “Azizi played a key role in educating visitors about lions and the challenges the species faces. His legacy will live on in the countless people he inspired to learn more about lions, ensuring visitors understood the responsibility we all share in protecting them.”

Bruce Dougan was the director of the Magnetic Hill Zoo for nearly three years. He says he remembers the excitement around the new arrivals.

“All the keepers are hyped up about the new arrivals and so on, for sure,” Dougan said. “We actually had just finished the new lion exhibit when they arrived.

“Azizi was about 15 months old and Amara, the female, was nine months old. They were unrelated, but they did come from the same zoo in Ontario.”

For many families, Azizi became part of their routine and their memories.

“It was very crushing. I was thinking about my daughter. She’s just over one and even now when she sees the lions she growls, just to know that he’s not going to be there the next time we’re going is definitely sad,” said Jordan Dugay.

Dougan says this will be an adjustment for Azizi’s longtime companion Amara.

“To lose a partner is not easy, whether it’s a human partner or a lion, so I think it certainly will have an impact on her. But life must go on,” he said.

The zoo says it will be closely monitoring Amara following this loss.

“We are thankful for the many years we had with Azizi. It was a privilege to get to work with him and know him,” says Tiffany Bateman, curator of zoological operations, in the statement. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who loved and cared for him throughout his life. He was an extraordinary member of our Zoo animal family and he will be greatly missed by our staff and visitors alike.”

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Josh Smith

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