Tamarr, Akron Zoo’s Beloved Lion, Faces Chronic Kidney Disease 🦁

The Akron Zoo mentions that one of its cherished lions is exhibiting indications of aging.

A zoo representative named Elena Bell stated that the test results from Tamarr A man revealed that the leader of one of two lion groups at the zoo has been diagnosed with an early stage of chronic kidney disease — a typical condition among feline species as they grow older.

Tamarr has been removed from display and is currently in "stable" health, being monitored by the zoo's animal care and medical staff.

Bell mentioned that Tamarr's medical team has spent the past year training the lion to undergo various voluntary treatments, including blood tests, blood pressure measurements, and X-rays, allowing them to track his health status without requiring anesthesia.

Bell stated that for the time being, Tamarr will remain in his off-exhibition bedroom and enclosed outdoor nighttime area, rather than in the public enclosure.

"Aging felines often experience kidney disease as an ongoing condition, with developments occurring gradually," she stated.

Tamarr is 19 years old and will celebrate her 20th birthday on August 25. She is one of the older lions living in a zoo that is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Lions typically live up to 16 years and 9 months.

Tamarr was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado in 2005 and arrived at the Akron Zoo in 2007.

This piece was first published in the Akron Beacon Journal: Tamarr, the cherished lion at the Akron Zoo, has received a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease 🦁