Ruby the lioness RIP
We are very sad to report that Ruby the lion has passed away. Ruby was over 20 years old and a dear and much-loved member of the Franklin Zoo family. Like many old cats she had been increasingly showing signs that her kidneys were failing by drinking large quantities of water. Despite this she appeared to be happy and continued to eat and behave normally. But, on 20th May her behaviour changed dramatically in that she went off her food and we saw her sitting and lying in unusual places, occasionally a bit unsteady and dry retching. By next day she was also breathing quite heavily even at rest and so, on 22nd May, we asked Auckland Zoo vet, Dr Richard Jakob-Hoff to look at her. After a thorough examination under anaesthetic, Dr Jakob-Hoff said that her signs were consistent with ‘end-stage’ kidney failure and that she was unlikely to live more than a few more days. He felt that the onset of cold weather, which had just started, would put more stress on her body and recommended that she be humanely put to sleep while still under anaesthetic. We all felt this was the kindest option for her and watched as she quietly passed away in her sleep when given an over-dose of anaesthetic drug. She was buried the following day in a grave on the grounds where she had lived for so many years.
African lioness