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Kwame, a 17-year-old, 396-pound, male lion, recently was immobilized and transported to Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital to receive a physical exam as part of a carefully managed preventative medicine program.
In the wild, male lions normally live to approximately 12 years old due to loss of strength, speed, and agility as well as competition from other lions. Under human care they can survive into their late teens and early twenties as a result of the extensive care they receive and the protection from competition and disease.
The exam included the collection of blood and urine, radiographs, an abdominal ultrasound, dental cleaning and routine eye and ear exams. He also had a minor manicure by having his claws trimmed and cleaned. In addition, he received vaccinations for rabies, canine distemper, and feline distemper.
Kwame appeared to be in good health at his advanced age and since has returned to his habitat.
These routine examinations play a critical role in the Animal Health Team being able to closely monitor the animals that live at Zoo Miami and diagnose any potential problems before they become serious. Because wild animals will instinctively disguise symptoms of being ill to avoid predation or other types of aggression, by the time they do display those symptoms, the disease is likely to be significantly advanced and more difficult to treat.
Lions presently are listed as vulnerable. They have suffered a 43 percent decrease in their population since the 1990s, with only approximately 20,000 to 25,000 left in the wild. Their biggest threats are habitat loss, human conflict, and poaching for trade in their skins and bones.
Zoo Miami is an award-winning Miami-Dade County park, continuously accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for over 35 years.
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 / 305-251-0400
www.zoomiami.org
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