Philadelphia zoo mourns loss of beloved lioness Tajiri

The Brief

The Philadelphia Zoo's beloved lioness, Tajiri, has passed away at the age of 15.

Tajiri was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

The zoo says they will be monitoring the well-being of her partner, Makini.

The Philadelphia Zoo is mourning the loss of Tajiri, a cherished African lioness who captivated visitors and staff alike.

What we know:

The zoo's animal care team noticed a change in Tajiri's appetite and conducted a medical examination. The veterinary team discovered she had an aggressive form of cancer, leading to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.

At 15 years old, Tajiri was considered geriatric, with lions in zoos typically living 15-20 years, according to the Philadelphia Zoo. The life expectancy of lions in the wild is 10-14 years.

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