Delilah the lion at the National Zoo and Aquarium in 2007. Photo: Supplied
By Kimberly Granger
March 8, 2015
Staff at the National Zoo and Aquarium have farewelled beloved tawny lion Delilah who died after 15 years at the zoo.
Delilah joined the animal ranks in 2000 as an ex-circus animal and spent her ensuing time in comfortable retirement. The beloved big cat was the first lion exhibited, and as such her death has been felt heavily in the zoo community.
National Zoo and Aquarium general manager Trent Russell said staff at the zoo had all been affected by the loss of Delilah, who died a few weeks ago.
"Given Delilah had been here so long, everyone had a soft spot for her," he said.
"She had a pretty tough exterior, so it often took some of the staff a little while to build a relationship with her. Once you got through that tough exterior though, she was a softy."
Mr Russell said although they never found out exactly how old Delilah was, they expect she outlived the lion average.
"We don't know because the circus didn't keep any records, but all of the animals [from the circus] were quite aged when they arrived," Mr Russell said, adding Delilah had outlived the other animals received from the circus.
He said big cats who live to their early 20s are doing well, but they believe Delilah was upwards of 25 years old.
"We're so good at looking after them these days, their life outgrows their body… on the one hand, from my point of view she's been here for such a long time you feel some comfort that [she died].
"She's come from a long range of experiences prior to being here and she was really well-loved here, she had a good life.
"But it doesn't matter when it happens, it is always upsetting."
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