Photo: Ronald van Weeren via Artis |
Caesar, the oldest lion in Artis zoo in Amsterdam,
has roared his last, the zoo authorities announced on Thursday
The lion, who
lived in the zoo for 19 of his 20 years and was leader of the pride, had been
ill for some time. On Thursday his condition worsened and zoo vets decided to
put him down.
Caesar had 21 descendants among whom two lionesses that still
live in Artis zoo.
The lion lived to a good age, Artis said. Lions in the wild
don’t usually live longer than 10 to 14
years.
‘He was very well-known to visitors who were impressed by his dark mane
and piercing roar,’ Artis wrote. The zoo is now looking for a new pride leader.