On Thursday morning the San Francisco Zoo’s shared that their beloved 20-year old African lioness, Sukari, has passed away.
The SF Zoo shared the news via Twitter along with fond memories of their time spent with her during her two decades in SF:
We are heartbroken to share that beloved African lioness, Sukari, passed away at the age of 20. Sukari, which means “sugar” in Swahili, was stoic in nature however once you got to know her, she would melt your heart. Sukari loved horse shanks, pork loin and goat’s milk and loved to play soccer with her indestructible boomer balls, playing in the habitat’s moated area and slamming the balls against the walls. She was an incredible ambassador who helped educate our guests on the importance of lion conservation and her legacy will live on here at #SFZoo with son, Jasiri. She will be missed 🤍
The SF Zoo has had a successful lion breeding program for decades, with Sukari giving birth to three cubs with her partner Jahari, who passed in 2019. Sukari’s cubs include Jasiri, who resides at the SF Zoo and two previous cubs, M’Fisha and Ahadi, both at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Neb, the Chronicle reported.
The breeding effort is part of the San Francisco Zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for African Lions.
In late 2015, the US Fish and Wildlife Service added lions to the Endangered Species Act and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Their population is rapidly declining due to loss of habitat, sport hunting, and poisoning in order to protect livestock.
It’s a sad day for the San Francisco Zoo community but Sukari’s legacy will live on through her children and the countless lives that she touched.
You can learn more about the San Francisco Zoo at their website.