The skies over the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo are gray today after the zoo had to say goodbye to one of their oldest and most beloved animals.

Mumbasa, affectionately known as Boss, the African lion, has called our little zoo home for 19 years. But, in the last couple of weeks Boss’s health began to rapidly deteriorate.

Despite the best efforts made by staff and veterinarians, his health did not improve. The zoo staff was forced to make to always difficult decision to humanely euthanize him.

“While we always know death is an inevitability with our geriatric animals, it’s never any easy thing for animal care staff to go through,” said Sara Hamlin, zoo supervisor and curator. “In fact, it is hands down the absolute hardest part of our jobs.”

Average life expectancy for male lions in captivity is around 18 years of age. Their wild counter parts live to be only 10-12 years old. He would have been 20 years old on Oct. 6.

He and his two sisters moved here at just 8 weeks of age and quickly became favorites of the community. He spent most of his life with his sisters as companions, but after their deaths several years ago he took comfort in the companionship of the zoos other male lion, three year old, Luke.

For More information call the zoo at 620-793-4226. The staff also invites residents to post and share their favorite memory of Boss on the zoo Facebook page.