Pittsburgh Zoo's Beloved African Lion Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA - Razi, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquairum's 10-year-old African lion, has died.

The zoo announced Wednesday that Razi, who suffered from idiopathic epilepsy for more than six years, broke his jaw after a grand mal seizure suffered in his exhibit Sunday. The zoo's veterinary and keeper staff decided not to attempt thechallenging surgery the injury required as the animal's aftercare would have been extremely difficult.

“It is a sad day for all of us,” Dr. Barbara Baker, zoo president and CEO, said in a statement. "Our animals are like members of our family and losing a family member is tough. Razi was a magnificent animal, and will also be missed by our visitors who developed a bond with him and his brother Ajani.”

Razi was first diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy after experiencing a seizure in the spring of 2013. At the time, Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, Director of Animal Health, and the veterinary team began searching for what was causing a seizure disorder in an otherwise healthy lion. Numerous tests including a MRI determined that Razi was suffering from idiopathic epilepsy, a very rare condition in lions.

Razi was placed on anti-seizure medications which kept his seizures at a controlled level without leading to secondary liver changes which can be a side effect of the treatment.

"Razi was an amazing cat," Sturgeon said. "He allowed us to get voluntary blood samples from his tail every couple of months to check his medication serum levels and his liver function. It’s so hard for all of us at the zoo to lose an animal we have cared so deeply for but we try to remember all of the good memories and positive impact that he had on our zoo visitors.”

Ajani came to the zoo with his brother Razi in 2012 and they have been inseparable over the years. Keepers are keeping a close eye on Ajani during this transition time. African lions are ambassadors for their cousins in the wild. In recent years, their populations have decreased by almost 40 percent due to loss of habitat, illegal wildlife trade, and human/lion conflict.

With only 20,000 left in the wild, their status is now classified as vulnerable.