Elderly Lion Couple That Were Soulmates Are Put To Sleep At The Same Time So Neither Has To Live Alone
Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Zoo announced that animal care and health staff had made the difficult decision to put two of their lions to sleep at the same time. 21-year-old soulmates Hubert and Kalisa were euthanized “due to their declining health and age-related illnesses that had diminished their quality of life.”
Hubert was born in Chicago, at Lincoln Park Zoo, and Kalisa came from Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. They met after they were transferred to Los Angeles Zoo in 2014. Since then, they had been completely inseparable from one another.
More info: lazoo.org | Facebook | Instagram
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
LA Zoo spokesperson Beth Schaefer said Hubert and Kalisa had a clear and strong bond with each other that was undeniable by guests and staff alike. “These lions were charismatic both together as partners and separately, but they were hardly ever apart from one another,” Schaefer told Bored Panda in a statement.
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
According to Schaefer, the couple’s undivided attention was always on the other as they rested together, cuddled, and nuzzled often.
“We have been touched by the community who have shared their fond memories of Hubert and Kalisa with us on social media. The pair’s love for one another created a deeper connection with our guests and incredible empathy, which we have seen through the outpouring show of support from our guests.”
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Lions that live in captivity make often make it to the age of 20-25 years, while the life expectancy of a lion living in the wild is about 12-16 years of age.
There are multiple reasons for this disparity.
For example, they don’t have to watch out for predators while spending their days in captivity. While the biggest predator to lions is people, these majestic animals also have to watch out for cheetahs and hyenas, who can steal their food.
Also, lions don’t have access to medical care when they’re out in the wild. If they cut or break their paw, they will end up suffering. Lions in zoos, on the other hand, will get immediate medical attention if anything happens to them.
Another factor is environmental issues. Lions in the wild depend solely on nature for their well-being. But if there’s a drought, there won’t be water or food sources available for them. Captive lions, however, don’t have to deal with these problems as their living space will always remain the same and zookeepers will give them plenty of food and water.
Image credits: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Here’s what people said about the majestic couple
Such beautiful lions, even in advanced years. While the LA Zoo is a fine zoo, I wish they could have roamed in an environment like Lion Country Safari. Nos their spirits roam free.
Don't forget factory farms, fur farms, labs, animal circuses...
Load More Replies...Yeah, it is kind of hard to get behind this decision. Humans interfere so much already with nature, I'm not exactly giving us a collective pat on the back for a job well done. Now, as long as the same community supports end of life decisions for humans who consent to it, then the hypocrisy of this example of euthanasia being "beautiful" would be less gruesome perhaps, as society is acting within its conscience for all its creatures who suffer.
Load More Replies...This is simply the sweetest thing. No, I am not crying. My eyes just thought my cheeks could use a little watering.
It's a happiness and a dream of the life: to die right together with your beloved.
Awwwwwww. I'll miss seeing their faces. When I was little, the lion exhibit at the LA zoo was my favorite one. I would roar like the lions. But they're so sweet. I'm glad they're finally at peace.
This is an absolutely sad and amazing story , over the rainbow 🌈 bridge to Hubert and Kalisa, may you RIP together forever!
Great post! I admire such love and it's odder to see such feelings from animals, but not humans
Beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time 💖💔💕 I guess sending both of them at the same time was the most humane thing to do. It just hurts to see such a loving pair leave this Earth. Such love ...💞 R.I.P. and run on the wind Hubert and Kalisa Now - tell me animals are incapable of love 💕
So sad to lose them both, but I am glad they could go together to the greatest place in the universe, the Rainbow Bridge. I am sure my brother and our 200 dogs, cats and farm animals will make them feel at home. Reminds me of the story yesterday that the wife 90 yrs old died and at least her husband was by her side. Yes she died from covid 19 complications, he died yesterday a few days after her. No animal should be behind bars. What the Bronx zoo has done making these grand spaces without the need for bars is wonderful. I have to tell you I am still crying from the title thru the story and seeing these magnificent friends of God. RIP Hubert and Kalisa and enjoy paradise. PAX+
What a wonderful decision the zoo staff made for this majestic pair. I wish the same compassion would be shown for human beings. They were absolutely stunning.
This is the Lion version of The Notebook. I have two rescue dogs that have that same type of bond despite both being neutered/spayed before they met. I'd be too selfish to put them down together. I have a feeling I'd hold on longer than I should to my fur babies.
Hubert and Kalisa you were adorable, seeing you on the pictures warms my heart. Putting you down due to declining health and age-related illnesses that had diminished quality of life is something I can't understand or support. Why not let them life peacefully to the end if their days and have them die when their time has come?
What if their end is full of pain and quite drawn out? The zookeepers made the right choice
Load More Replies...Hello, someone there has or has had trouble sleeping, because I already had a lot of trouble until one day I found an article on the internet on a website that helped me a lot and today I sleep well. https://www.digistore24.com/redir/349538/Ruiterjr/
Such beautiful lions, even in advanced years. While the LA Zoo is a fine zoo, I wish they could have roamed in an environment like Lion Country Safari. Nos their spirits roam free.
Don't forget factory farms, fur farms, labs, animal circuses...
Load More Replies...Yeah, it is kind of hard to get behind this decision. Humans interfere so much already with nature, I'm not exactly giving us a collective pat on the back for a job well done. Now, as long as the same community supports end of life decisions for humans who consent to it, then the hypocrisy of this example of euthanasia being "beautiful" would be less gruesome perhaps, as society is acting within its conscience for all its creatures who suffer.
Load More Replies...This is simply the sweetest thing. No, I am not crying. My eyes just thought my cheeks could use a little watering.
It's a happiness and a dream of the life: to die right together with your beloved.
Awwwwwww. I'll miss seeing their faces. When I was little, the lion exhibit at the LA zoo was my favorite one. I would roar like the lions. But they're so sweet. I'm glad they're finally at peace.
This is an absolutely sad and amazing story , over the rainbow 🌈 bridge to Hubert and Kalisa, may you RIP together forever!
Great post! I admire such love and it's odder to see such feelings from animals, but not humans
Beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time 💖💔💕 I guess sending both of them at the same time was the most humane thing to do. It just hurts to see such a loving pair leave this Earth. Such love ...💞 R.I.P. and run on the wind Hubert and Kalisa Now - tell me animals are incapable of love 💕
So sad to lose them both, but I am glad they could go together to the greatest place in the universe, the Rainbow Bridge. I am sure my brother and our 200 dogs, cats and farm animals will make them feel at home. Reminds me of the story yesterday that the wife 90 yrs old died and at least her husband was by her side. Yes she died from covid 19 complications, he died yesterday a few days after her. No animal should be behind bars. What the Bronx zoo has done making these grand spaces without the need for bars is wonderful. I have to tell you I am still crying from the title thru the story and seeing these magnificent friends of God. RIP Hubert and Kalisa and enjoy paradise. PAX+
What a wonderful decision the zoo staff made for this majestic pair. I wish the same compassion would be shown for human beings. They were absolutely stunning.
This is the Lion version of The Notebook. I have two rescue dogs that have that same type of bond despite both being neutered/spayed before they met. I'd be too selfish to put them down together. I have a feeling I'd hold on longer than I should to my fur babies.
Hubert and Kalisa you were adorable, seeing you on the pictures warms my heart. Putting you down due to declining health and age-related illnesses that had diminished quality of life is something I can't understand or support. Why not let them life peacefully to the end if their days and have them die when their time has come?
What if their end is full of pain and quite drawn out? The zookeepers made the right choice
Load More Replies...Hello, someone there has or has had trouble sleeping, because I already had a lot of trouble until one day I found an article on the internet on a website that helped me a lot and today I sleep well. https://www.digistore24.com/redir/349538/Ruiterjr/
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