Kaohsiung Shoushan Zoo's African Lion "Er Ge" Passes Away at 23

Central News Agency (Reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, 14th) The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau announced today that "Er Ge," the beloved African lion at Shoushan Zoo, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 23, accompanied by zookeepers and the medical team. For an African lion, this age is equivalent to a human centenarian. Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin stated that "Er Ge"'s life witnessed Shoushan Zoo's efforts and achievements in species conservation and life education. Caring for elderly animals requires significant professional dedication and effort. The zoo, through its comprehensive medical and care mechanisms, accompanied "Er Ge" through the last journey of its life, which is the best embodiment of respect for life. The zoo pointed out that "Er Ge" became an important member of the park after being introduced from Leofoo Village in 2010, accompanying countless visitors and leaving deep memories for over a decade. As it aged, "Er Ge"'s health gradually deteriorated, facing multiple physiological challenges common in elderly animals. According to medical records, in recent years, it suffered from chronic diseases such as glaucoma, abnormal liver function, anemia, spinal degeneration, and dental pulp infection. Despite multiple treatments and surgeries by the medical team and the provision of soft food and optimized habitat to improve its quality of life, it could not overcome overall functional aging and finally passed away peacefully on the 13th. Zookeeper Li You-yi, who cared for "Er Ge" for a long time, recalled that when he first saw it, it was in its prime, displaying the unique majesty and aura of a male lion, which was very impressive. After many years of living together day and night, they had established a deep family-like bond. Even after multiple medical procedures, it faced them bravely, demonstrating the amazing resilience of wildlife. Li You-yi said that although he was extremely reluctant to see "Er Ge" go, he also deeply understood that life has its end, and the time they spent together will always be cherished. In addition, the zoo recently posted an update on "Er Ge" on Facebook, which attracted a large number of fans' caring messages, showing the public's deep affection for "Er Ge" accumulated over the years; now that the news of "Er Ge"'s passing has spread, these concerns have turned into reluctance and longing, accompanying it through the last journey of its life. The Tourism Bureau stated in a press release today that Shoushan Zoo will continue to improve the quality of animal care in the future and transform this valuable care experience into life education material, allowing "Er Ge"'s life value to continue. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150414