In a heartfelt decision, the Los Angeles Zoo euthanized Hubert and Kalisa, a pair of African lions, due to age-related health issues.
Both lions, who were 21 years old, had surpassed their species’ typical lifespan of 14 to 17 years.
Despite the excellent care they received, their deteriorating quality of life led to the zoo’s difficult choice.
Hubert and Kalisa’s story began at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, where they met before moving to the Los Angeles Zoo in 2014.
Hubert, born in 1999 at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Kalisa, born in 1998 at Woodland Park, quickly became inseparable. Although Hubert fathered ten cubs, he had no offspring with Kalisa.
Alisa Behar, the curator of mammals at the Los Angeles Zoo, shared her sorrow: “You cannot think of Hubert without thinking of his companion, Kalisa; they’ve been an inseparable couple for years.”
The animal programs director, Beth Schaefer, described the lions as charismatic and noted their constant companionship, often seen cuddling and nuzzling together.
In the wild, African lions typically live until their mid-teens, with those in captivity reaching up to 17 years.
The exceptional longevity of Hubert and Kalisa was attributed to the dedicated care from the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams.
Denise Verret, the zoo’s director, highlighted the significance of their companionship, which deeply affected staff and visitors.
The African lion population faces severe challenges, with only 23,000 to 39,000 lions remaining in the wild.
They are listed as “vulnerable to human-wildlife conflict” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Hubert and Kalisa’s bond was so renowned that it became a highlight of the zoo’s Valentine’s Day celebrations, reflecting their deep connection.
Their legacy of love and companionship will be remembered by all who had the privilege to witness it.
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