Makini, the last African lion at the Philadelphia Zoo, has died
The lion was closely monitored since the death of his longtime partner, Tajiri, late last year, zoo officials said.
Makini, the last African lion at the Philadelphia Zoo, has died, zoo officials announced Friday.
Makini, who was about 17.5 years old, suffered from advanced arthritis, and he recently began showing signs of weakness in his hind end and was struggling to navigate, zoo officials said.
“The team made the difficult and compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him,” the zoo said in a statement.
Zoo care staff had been closely monitoring him since the death of his longtime partner, Tajiri, in November 2025, zoo officials said.
“At 17.5 years old, he was considered geriatric and surpassed the life expectancy for this species. The life expectancy of lions in the wild is 10-14 years,” the zoo said.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo website said that a lioness in the wild can live up to 16 years, but males rarely live past the age of 12. In zoos, the website said, lions may live into their teens or early 20s.
Makini arrived in Philadelphia in December 2011 from the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma where he was born. His name means “dignity” in Swahili.
He mated with Tajiri and the pair produced four cubs in June 2014.
“Makini was a force to be reckoned with and he made sure you knew that. He was all sorts of tough and manly, yet was goofy and would have you laughing several moments later. His presence is something that is surely going to be missed. I will cherish all the time we spent together,” said an animal care specialist identified by the zoo as Shannon K.
“He served as an incredible ambassador for his species for the hundreds of thousands of guests who had the chance to know him,” the zoo said.
The zoo said it was having conversations with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “on the future of lions at the Philadelphia Zoo. We will keep you informed as the process progresses.”
