"Irreplaceable loss" Felt at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The spokesperson at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo says the zoo has suffered an, “irreplaceable loss.” Elson, the zoo’s 16-year-old male African lion passed away Friday, May 27, 2011.
The death happened as Elson was under anesthesia as part of a procedure to treat a dental infection. During the procedure, the lion’s heart stopped. Experts say typical life expectancy of African lions in captivity is 14 to 20 years.
Elson helped the zoological world as well as inspired guests during his time at the zoo. Elson contributed genetically to the North American Lion Species Survival Plan by siring 13 cubs (also has at least seven grandcubs). Those descendants now live in Colorado Springs, Pueblo and all across the country.
Officials at the zoo say Elson was unique because unlike many of their animals, Elson was not born in the zoo – he was born in the wild at Kapama Reserve in South Africa.
Below you will find more thoughts and memories from Elson, courtesy of the employees at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. You can also find a slide show of pictures of Elson by clicking on the PHOTO tab at the top of this story.
As you can imagine, the cost to import an African lion is quite a sum of money. One Cheyenne Mountain Zoo board member was extremely interested in the potential for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to be involved in the critically important breeding of African lions, and volunteered to fund Elson’s importation. Elson arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in November of 1996. We know he was born in early 1995, so he was not quite two years old. He had the beginnings of a mane, with a spiky mohawk on his head and some unruly hair around his neck. Little did anyone know what a staggeringly beautiful animal he would become.
In April of 1997, Elson was introduced to Massina, a female who would serve as a short-term companion for Elson. It was in her company he developed into a mature lion. Massina was later sent to another zoo. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was lucky enough to acquire a second wild-born African lion, a female named Angie. In December of 2000, Elson and Angie were introduced, and in June of 2002, Angie gave birth to a litter of four cubs. Elson had sired his first offspring!
When the cubs were 5 ½ weeks old, Elson had his first opportunity to enter the birthing den. He and Angie greeted each other, and Elson immediately went right over to smell and lick the cubs. When he tried to carry one outside, Angie put a stop to it. She would make the decision about when the cubs were ready, and Elson gracefully followed her lead. Together, Elson and Angie raised 13 cubs – a total of four litters, born in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007. These genetically valuable cubs were an important contribution to the African lion population in AZA-accredited zoos.
African Lion Pictures - News
You can also find a slide show of pictures of Elson by clicking on the PHOTO tab at the top of this story. As you can imagine, the cost to import an African lion is quite a sum of money. One Cheyenne Mountain Zoo board member was extremely interested
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