Christchurch’s Orana Wildlife Park mourns the loss of three of its lions

Meeka (left) and her son Mambila (right) at Orana Wildlife park, were euthanised due to age-related illness.

Three elderly lions at a popular Christchurch zoo have been euthanised after months of declining health.

The tough decision was made by Orana Wildlife Park and announced today after the family of cats was experiencing degenerative sickness including suspected arthritis and incontinence.

Leah and Meeka, both 22, and Meeka’s son Mambila, 15, were all born at the park and had been under close veterinary observation and treatment over the past few months.

The park’s chief executive Rachel Haydon said the choice was not made lightly and her team was devastated by the passing of the “beloved animals”.

“We are incredibly grateful to our team for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to ensuring all three lions experienced a peaceful and dignified farewell. The cats will leave a large void, being such long-standing members of our animal family.”

Haydon said the focus now is to wrap support around its keepers.

“Anyone who has farewelled a beloved animal will understand the depth of emotion people experience at such a loss.”

According to Orana’s lead veterinarian Tristan Kamps, the decision to euthanise all three together was in line with science-based research on lions being highly social animals.

“Sisters Leah and Meeka lived their entire 22 years together and Mambila shared a particularly close bond with his mother.

“Prolonging the decision for one or more animals would have severely compromised their welfare beyond the issues they were already facing.”

Haydon added the pride all surpassed the average life expectancy of a lion, with male lions typically living 10-14 years, and lionesses slightly longer.

Leah and Meeka were the oldest lions in the Australasian region.

The zoo has two other male lions from a different pride.