Oregon Zoo Lion Recovering After Tail Injury

Call it the tale of the injured tail.

Zawadi Mungu, the male lion who lives at the Oregon Zoo, lost the tip of his tail when it got stuck beneath a hydraulic door during a training session.

The incident happened as he was entering a training area from the outdoor portion of the Predators of the Serengeti habitat.

“After Zawadi came into the training area, a hydraulic door leading to the outdoors came down and caught the tip of his tail,” said animal curator Michael Illig. “Animal-care staff immediately reversed the door, and were able call him back to receive care for the injury.”

Zoo veterinarian Dr. Tim Storms said that Zawadi lost the tip of his tail just above the tuft.

“For a 450-pound lion, that’s a relatively small injury, but we are treating it seriously," Storms said. 

"After a brief medical procedure he is recovering well. We expect him to heal without any complications.”

Zoo officials said that even after his injury, Zawadi wanted to stay in the training area and get his fear share of meatballs.

Meanwhile the zoo will review what happened - from the building to the mechanics and the protocols - to make sure it doesn't happen again.