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Lion's Roar Falls Silent At Zoo Boise

Zoo Boise
Jabari the lion.

Zoo Boise says it’s sad to report that Jabari the lion was euthanized Wednesday.

We told you last year that the 14-year-old lion was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was getting treatment, including chemotherapy. But his health continued to decline and his condition worsened recently.

It was 2008 when Jabari and two female lions opened the African Plains Exhibit. He was a favorite at the zoo, often roaring during the day.

“There is nothing quite like the roar of a grown male lion. He was part of our family and we will miss him,” says Zoo Boise Director Steve Burns.

In the wild, male lions rarely survive longer than 10-12 years.

Two female lions remain at the zoo, Mudiwa and Obadiah, are both 15 years old. Zoo Boise does not plan to get another male lion.

Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio

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As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life!). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.

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