BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Brookfield Zoo has some sad news to start the new year.
The Chicago Zoological Society announced Friday the loss of Brookfield Zoo's male African lion, Zenda.
According to the zoo, just before Christmas, animal care staff observed Zenda having difficulty standing and walking. Over the past week, veterinarians had been treating his symptoms with medication to help ease the pain; however, on Thursday, his well-being declined dramatically and the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
Preliminary necropsy results revealed Zenda had several degenerative discs in his spine that had ruptured as a result of his advanced age and were inoperable.
"He even cooperated in his own health care by participating in voluntary blood draws taken from his tail and presenting a paw for vaccine injections," the zoo said.
According to the zoo, staff will be monitoring and working closely with Isis, who will turn 15 this year, over the next several weeks to help her adjust to the loss of Zenda.
"She had the opportunity to, once we did euthanize him, to see him so that she was aware that he had passed," Dr. Adkesson said. "And then it's really just our focus is on her and her well-being."
Isis is now the only lion at Brookfield Zoo.