LANSING, MI — Potter Park Zoo officials in Lansing have confirmed that vets at the zoo have euthanized a 19-year-old male Lion named Kota. Zoo officials had disclosed over the weekend the lion was suffering from a severe spine disease.
Zoo’s volunteer coordinator Kelly Gibson sent an email to zoo volunteers earlier this morning with details Kota’s passing. We share it in its entirety here:
Dear Volunteers,
We are very sad to let you know that Kota, our 19 year old male lion, passed away. He was a magnificent animal who was cared for deeply by his keepers, our zoo family and our community.
Recently, Kota’s behavior suddenly changed, and our veterinary team began performing diagnostic procedures to determine the cause of his symptoms. Test results confirmed severe spinal disease, a condition commonly seen in geriatric large cats. At Kota’s age and with the severity of his condition, surgery was not a viable option. Instead, our veterinary and animal care teams focused on providing treatment to keep him comfortable and maintain his quality of life. When Kota was no longer responding to the available treatment options, our veterinary and animal care teams made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him.
Kota called Potter Park Zoo home since 2008 and quickly became an integral part of the zoo family. He inspired millions of guests, connected our community with wildlife, and left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Kota had a proud, confident presence, but those who knew him best also knew his incredible personality. Whether he was basking in the morning sun, exploring his habitat, or announcing the start of the day with one of his unmistakable roars, Kota embodied everything people love about lions and served as an incredible ambassador for his species.
We’ll miss his roar, his presence, and the joy he brought to staff, volunteers and guests each day. Thank you to our animal care team for providing him such wonderful care for the past 18 years while he has been at PPZ.
Sincerely.
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