Lion dies at Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo’s oldest male African lion has died.

Staff decided to euthanize Rowdy, who was 20 years old, after a year of declining health due to his age.

“Rowdy’s zookeepers remember him as a gentle creature that was affectionate and good to work with,” the zoo said in a statement. “He loved the smell of cinnamon.”

Rowdy was the leader of the zoo’s pride of lions and popular with visitors.

Two of his male offspring, born in 2000, still live at the zoo. His first, named Simba, was born a year before and lives at Quebec’s Parc Safari, where he has sired three females and one male.

The zoo estimates African lion populations have dropped 30 to 50 per cent in the last two decades because of habitat loss and conflict with humans.

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