GREAT BEND – Central Kansas residents are mourning the loss of a favorite at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.

Mumbasa, affectionately known as “Boss” the African Lion that has called Great Bend home for 19 years, passed away this week at the zoo, according to a media release.

He would have been 20 years old on October 6th.

In the last couple of weeks Boss’ health began to rapidly deteriorate and despite the best efforts made by staff and veterinarians, his health did not improve and staff was forced to make to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him.

Sara Hamlin, Zoo Supervisor and Curator says the loss of any zoo animal is hard.

“While we always know death is an inevitability with our geriatric animals, it’s never any easy thing for animal care staff to go through, in fact, it is hands down the absolute hardest part of our jobs.”

Mumbasa and his two sisters moved to Great Bend at just 8 weeks old and quickly became favorites of the community.

He spent most of his life with his sisters as companions, but after their deaths several years ago, Mumbasa took comfort in the companionship of the zoo’s other male lion Luke.

Hamlin says the average life expectancy for male lions in captivity is around 18 years of age. In the wild, lions live for only 10-12 years.

Zoo staff are inviting the public to call the Zoo at 620-793-4226 or post and share with them your favorite memory of Boss on their Facebook page.