China Plus Published: 2020-08-04 15:58:20
A devoted pair of aging lions was euthanized together by the Los Angeles Zoo due to their declining health. The zoo announced last week that its staff had made the “difficult decision” to end the lives of two African lions, Hubert and Kalisa, because of “age-related illnesses that diminished their quality of life.”
![A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]](http://img3.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20200804/95288c85-4b69-41eb-82b2-9ee47403aa9e.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
The two big cats, both 21 years old, had lived at the zoo for six years. They were already considered elderly when they arrived in 2014, since the average life expectancy of a lion in captivity is about 17 years.
The lion couple soon became favorites among tourists and was known for their frequent cuddles and nuzzles. They were even an iconic part of the LA Zoo experience.
![A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]](http://img2.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20200804/50b95758-b61d-48cd-b676-8913942e7bb0.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
The CEO and director of the zoo, Denise Verret, said these affectionate companions had never left each other. “People don’t see Kalisa without Hubert being close by. While it is truly heart-wrenching that we had to say goodbye to this iconic pair, we can take comfort in knowing they left together. These lions will remain a positive part of our history, and they will be greatly missed,” said Verret.
![A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]](http://img3.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20200804/fff059eb-cc0d-4e0b-9689-889a30718cd8.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
![A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]](http://img1.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20200804/26d723e8-c29a-46ae-87c2-68ce43307921.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
![A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]](http://img0.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20200804/0452b0df-8d48-4d88-b566-c1ed440e28c3.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
A file photo of the African lion couple, Hubert and Kalisa [Photo taken from the Facebook page of Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
