Staff at a Nova Scotia zoo say they’re heartbroken one of their most recognized residents is in poor health and may not make it through another season.
Obi the African lion came arrived at Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford, N.S., as a cub four years ago.
On Thursday, the zoo revealed in a Facebook post that the lion “wasn’t quite himself” and had lost his appetite since early October.
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The zoo’s vet examined Obi and tests indicate he is in renal failure and there is no cure.
“He still seems quite content, is eating reasonably well and still seems to be enjoying good quality of life and so we will let him live out as much time as he has left and though it will break all of our hearts, we will make the decision to help him on his journey when the end approaches — we will not let him suffer,” the post reads.
The zoo says it’s unclear how much time Obi has left.
They note that in the past, their lions have been in their late teens and early 20s before showing signs of aging.
In a followup post on Friday, the zoo thanked the public for their well wishes but said they are declining all interview requests “as we focus on Obi and we come to terms with his illness.”
“Our keepers and phones have been overwhelmed and it is taking our time away from where it’s needed most,” the post reads.
Obi fathered two cubs, Hunter and Nnenne, with the zoo’s lioness Nyah in 2016.
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