Malik the lion has died
Press event, today, 4 pm, Zoo School in the Tierpark
Malik the lion, who was a well-known and favourite inhabitant of the zoo for many visitors from near and far, had to be put down today for health reasons. The medical team treating him and the keepers at Chemnitz Zoo had to make this difficult decision together.
"The decision was certainly not an easy one for us," said Dr Anja Dube, Director of Chemnitz Zoo. "We only euthanise an animal when it is really necessary from a veterinary point of view, i.e. when it is no longer justifiable to keep the animal alive, when the animal is suffering according to medical judgement and no further improvement in its condition can be achieved. And that was unfortunately the case with Malik."
Malik had already been a patient in 2009 due to kidney problems. Thanks to excellent veterinary care, he recovered well and, apart from occasional periods of poor appetite, had hardly any health problems. He was active, curious and playful, reacted to his environment and enjoyed lolling around in the sun.
About a week ago, he became noticeable due to increased salivation, vomiting and loss of appetite and showed a poor general condition. He was immediately put under anaesthetic and examined by zoo vet Dr Peggy Heinze, supported by external colleagues, using ultrasound and X-rays. The blood count showed elevated kidney values. The urea and creatinine, two substances that should actually be excreted via the kidneys and urine, were elevated in the blood. Protein was also detected in the urine, which can only enter the urine if the kidneys are damaged. Consultations were held with other zoo vets, but all attempts at therapy failed. As his condition deteriorated rapidly and continued suffering was no longer justifiable, it was decided today to put Malik down.
After he was diagnosed with kidney disease, it was not really to be expected that he would live to the ripe old age of 14 in good health. In the wild, lions do not live longer than 10 to 14 years.
Malik was born at Leipzig Zoo in 2004 and came to Chemnitz Zoo in May 2005 together with Kimba, a female of the same age, from Halle Zoo.
Note for media representatives: Press conference
For press enquiries, media representatives will have the opportunity to ask further questions about Malik today at 4 pm in the zoo's zoo school. The director of the zoo, Dr Anja Dube, and vet Dr Peggy Heinze will be present.