Oregon Zoo Lion Dies at Age 18
Incident Date:
06/16/2026
Location:
Portland, OR - USA
Facility Name:
Oregon Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Big Cats
Animal:
Lion
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
PORTLAND, OR – A member of the Oregon Zoo family has died, staff said on Tuesday, announcing the passing of Kya – the oldest member of its African lion pride.
Kya was 18 years old. Kya was born at Wisconsin’s Racine Zoo in 2007 and came to Portland two years later when the Oregon Zoo opened its Predators of the Serengeti area.
Her passing comes two months after the death of Zawadi Mungu, another 18-year-old lion at the zoo. She was considered “geriatric” for her species in captivity.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: