The Phoenix Zoo and Reid Park Zoo in Tucson are both dealing with the loss of longtime residents.
The Phoenix Zoo lost its beloved mountain lion, Sierra, who was humanely euthanized this week after dealing with advanced renal failure. The Reid Park Zoo had to humanely euthanize their African lion, Kaya, after she was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal disease that impacted her ability to move her legs.
Sierra and her sister, Mystic, arrived at the Phoenix Zoo nearly 17 years ago after being rescued from South Dakota after their mother was hunted while still nursing her litter. Wildlife officials found seven cubs, including the sisters.
The cubs could not have survived in the wild, so in 2008 Sierra and Mystic were sent to live at the Phoenix Zoo.
The typical lifespan of mountain lions in the wild is around 10 years, but Sierra lived almost two decades. A Facebook post by the Phoenix Zoo said, “the keepers admired her calm, yet bold personality and enjoyed the challenge of gaining her trust.”
The Phoenix Zoo said they are not only mourning the loss of Sierra, but they are also grieving the fact she never got to see her new home in the Big Cats of Arizona habitat.
In Tucson, Reid Park Zoo officials decided to move forward with humane euthanasia after a significant decline in Kaya’s mobility.
Kaya was introduced to Reid Park Zoo in 2009 when she was 16 months old. Zookeepers describe Kaya as bold, inquisitive, and independent. In a written statement, the zoo said, “she was deeply adored by her care team and everyone who visited her at the zoo.”
The zoo’s other lions Nayo, Kaya’s daughter, and Tony will get extra attention from their care team in the coming days, the zoo said.
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