GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A zoo in west Michigan is mourning the loss of a 12-year-old African lion. Bakari died this week at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
According to the zoo, Bakari had been diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of last year. After 15 weeks of chemo and follow-up exams, there was no evidence of cancer and her lymph nodes seemed normal, and the initial mass was gone.
On Monday afternoon, her health took a sudden downturn and she passed away, but the zoo believes her lymphoma aggressively returned, causing her unexpected death.
Bakari was born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in 2006 and joined the John Ball Zoo in 2008 with her sister, Abena.
"With her unique quirks, she quickly became a favorite of staff and guests alike. She would often spend her afternoons close to the visitor widow interacting with visitors," the zoo said. "Even though her sister Abena was more vocal and upfront, Bakari would always take the lead on exploring new enrichment and could often be seen interacting with the different enrichment items."
