Denver Zoo Euthanizes Lufkin-Born Lion that Had Liver Disease

DENVER (AP) – The Denver Zoo has euthanized a 3-year-old Lufkin-born lion that had been suffering from liver disease. The Denver Post reports Sango was euthanized Saturday. The zoo says he began having seizures about a week ago and worsened until he was unable to walk or position himself to drink. Veterinarians diagnosed liver disease, which affects brain function once the liver is unable to clear blood toxins. Sango was born July 28, 2012, at the Ellen Trout Zoo and was raised by zookeepers after his mother rejected him. He was moved to Denver in 2013. In September, he and 3-year-old lioness Neliah had the cubs, Kalu and Kamara. The Denver zoo also has another lioness, 3-year-old Sabi. A lion in a zoo lives an average of 16.8 years.