Lioness born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo killed by lion at an Alabama zoo
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (KRDO) -- A female lion, who was born at Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, was recently killed during an introduction to a male lion at the Alabama zoo where she lived.
Akili was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 2005. She was transferred to the Birmingham Zoo in 2007 to live with a male lion, Kwanza. In 2011, the pair gave birth to five cubs.
According to the Birmingham Zoo, Kwanza died in 2021, and plans were made to find a new mate for Akili. A male lion, Josh arrived at the zoo in April 2022 and the slow introduction process began.
“Animal introductions are always risky because wild animals can be unpredictable and we cannot control their interactions,” said Hollie Colahan, Birmingham Zoo’s Deputy Director in a statement on Facebook.
However, within minutes of the introduction, Akili sustained serious injuries.
Colahan said that despite immediate intervention by the zoo's Animal Care and Animal Health teams, Akili did not survive her injuries.
The Birmingham Zoo reported that she died Monday, July 18.
“The loss of an animal is always sad but when it is sudden and unexpected, that makes it particularly difficult,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo President, and CEO on Facebook.
