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Death of lion leaves void at Roosevelt Park Zoo

Submitted Photo Kiota, the male lion at Roosevelt Park Zoo, looks out a sanctuary window. Kiota was humanely euthanized Oct. 30 due to kidney disease.

Roosevelt Park Zoo’s 19-year-old male lion has died.

“It is with great sorrow that the Roosevelt Park Zoo must report that on Wednesday, October 30, Kiota, the zoo’s male African Lion, was humanely euthanized in the company of his keepers and animal care staff,” the zoo stated in releasing the news. “Kiota was diagnosed with chronic renal failure in 2022 and has been on two renal supplements since that time. The most recent urinalysis revealed that Kiota’s kidneys had continued to decline. Roosevelt Park Zoo animal care staff had also observed a significant decrease in Kiota’s activity and appetite. After a long, sincere animal management discussion, the team decided the best decision for Kiota was to bring his pain and suffering to an end.”

The Roosevelt Park Zoo team would have liked to give the community an opportunity to say goodbye, but it was decided in the best interest of Kiota to allow him to pass in the most peaceful way possible, surrounded, by his trusted and loyal team of caregivers, a zoo news release stated.

Kiota was born on Aug. 25, 2005, at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He was one of the oldest African Lions in the Species Survival Program.

“Kiota was a long-standing ambassador to Roosevelt Park Zoo, with many patrons knowing him by name. In fact, it was not uncommon to see generations of families gathering around the lion exhibit, talking about their first interaction with the majestic handsome lion that has been at the heart of the Roosevelt Park Zoo for so many years,” the zoo stated.

Kiota had a front row seat to many large events at the Roosevelt Park Zoo, including the flood of 2011 and most recently the completion of the Severson-Ahart African Lion Savannah Exhibit. Thanks to generous donors of the Minot community, Kiota spent the last five years of his life in the beautiful and spacious exhibit, the release said. Kiota and Jasira were moved to the new lion habitat in September of 2019. With this move staff noticed several improvements with their welfare and wellbeing, which allowed them to be a true pride.

“Kiota was the king of Roosevelt Park Zoo. Defending his pride, which consisted of Jasira and himself, until his last breath. Jasira was the love of his life, and they never left each other’s side. When Jasira did pass in 2022, Kiota found comfort in his care staff,” the zoo stated. “Kiota remained the star of the show in our Behavioral Training Program. He was one of the first animals that staff were able to get voluntary blood on, which helped monitor his kidney valves. Kiota was trained to voluntarily participate in all his medical needs.

“End of life care are some of the most difficult conversations and decisions made by Roosevelt Park animal care team. The Roosevelt Park Zoo would like to thank the community for their continued support,” the zoo release concluded.

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