RACINE -- The Racine Zoo announced Friday the passing of their African Lion, Aslan, the patriarch of the pride. He was 15.
In a release, Director Beth Heidorn said:
Aslan was born at Madison's Henry Vilas Zoo in October 2004, moving to the Racine Zoo in 2005.
Aslan has played a major role in African Lion conservation and contributed significantly to the African Lion Species Survival Plan. Aslan has over 50 descendants living in zoos throughout North America, from Portland, Oregon to Palm Beach, Florida, and from Puebla, Mexico to Calgary, Canada, read the release.
“Aslan was an amazing father, mate, and lion, and will be dearly missed by so many,” said the Zoo’s Curator, Aszya Summers. “Aslan’s legacy will continue to inspire for generations through
his descendants, including Zuri here at the Racine Zoo. Aslan had a look that you couldn’t help
but fall in love with, and the connections he built and his contribution to the survival of his
species will be remembered.”