<p dir="auto">A male African lion at a zoo in Alabama mauled a female to death just moments after the two were introduced to each other.</p>
<p dir="auto">The Birmingham Zoo posted the news to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamZoo">Facebook</a> Tuesday. The lion, named Josh, was brought into the zoo to provide companionship for the lioness, named Akili. Akili&#8217;s mate died in 2021. But almost immediately after the two lions were introduced, Josh attacked Akili, and the lioness suffered injuries that proved to be fatal.</p>
<p dir="auto">&#8220;Birmingham Zoo is mourning the passing of beloved African lioness Akili,&#8221; the zoo said in a statement posted to Facebook. &#8220;The lion was fatally injured on Monday afternoon, July 18th, during introductions to male lion Josh. The staff is devastated at this unexpected loss of a long-time favorite animal and member of the Zoo family.&#8221;</p>
<p dir="auto">According to the statement, Akili was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in Colorado Springs in 2005. In 2007, she was moved to the Birmingham Zoo to live with a male named Kwanza. The two became companions, and had a litter of five cubs in 2011. Kwanza died in 2021, and the zoo worked in cooperation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums&#8217; Lion Species Survival Plan to identify a new mate for Akili. Josh was identified as a potentially suitable companion, and arrived at the zoo in April. From there, the process of gradual introductions began.</p>
<p>“Animal introductions are always risky because wild animals can be unpredictable and we cannot control their interactions,” Hollie Colahan, the Birmingham Zoo&#8217;s Deputy Director and coordinator of the Lion SSP, said in the statement Tuesday. “Unfortunately, Akili sustained serious injuries within the first few minutes of the meeting and despite immediate intervention by the Animal Care and Animal Health teams, she succumbed to her injuries and died Monday afternoon.”</p>
<p dir="auto">“The loss of an animal is always sad but when it is sudden and unexpected, that makes it particularly difficult,” zoo President and CEO Chris Pfefferkorn added. “Please keep the amazing team and everyone that worked with Akili in your thoughts as there are no words that can ease the pain of such a spontaneous loss. We are thankful that so many in the community had a chance to see and experience Akili, she was a great ambassador for her wild counterparts.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/male-lion-mauls-female-death-alabama-zoo-minutes-meeting-1726215">Newsweek</a> notes that African lions are highly territorial and will become aggressive if they feel threatened. Male lions are also aggressive when attempting to assert dominance over others. In the wild, a male lion who takes over a pride will kill the cubs of the ousted male. Sexually frustrated males have also been known to kill females that will not breed with them, Newsweek notes.</p>
<p>In the meantime, Josh will remain at the Birmingham Zoo until keepers determine the appropriate next steps. “Josh will stay at the Birmingham Zoo and we are committed to providing him with the same great care as always,&#8221; zoo officials said in a statement to local news outlet <a href="https://www.wbrc.com/2022/07/19/birmingham-zoos-african-lioness-akili-dies-following-introduction-new-lion/">WBRC</a>. &#8220;When the timing is right, we will work with the Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) to determine next steps. The goal is to get him an appropriate social setting for his well being.”</p>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Birmingham Zoo Lion Kills Lioness Just Minutes After Being Introduced

CONTINUE READING

Comer Says He ‘Can’t Track Down The Informant’ In Biden Family Investigation

Autistic Grocery Clerk Fired From California Supermarket After He Was Violently Assaulted Three Separate Times: Report

Justice Is…Bovine? Herd Of Cows Helps Round Up Criminal In North Carolina

Gavin Newsom’s Revised Budget Will Make California’s Budget Deficit Worse, Even As State Mulls Enormous Reparations Package

Oklahoma Police Run Toward To Cries For ‘Help’, Coming From A Very Upset Goat

California’s Reparations Committee Wants State To Apologize For Ronald Reagan Coining ‘Welfare Queens.’ Except, He Didn’t.

News

Alabama

Animals

attack

Colorado

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Birmingham Zoo Lion Kills Lioness Just Minutes After Being Introduced