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Lioness Lea euthanized at Stralsund Zoo because of pain!
Lioness Lea was euthanized on July 10, 2025 at Stralsund Zoo for animal welfare reasons - she was 17 years old.
Lioness Lea euthanized at Stralsund Zoo because of pain!
At Stralsund Zoo, the zookeepers have to say goodbye to lioness Lea with a heavy heart today. The elderly big cat, who lived to be 17 years old, was euthanized on July 10, 2025 due to significant age-related problems. This decision was necessary to take Lea's suffering general health into account and corresponded to the applicable animal welfare regulations, as the zoo announced. “We had to make this decision out of love for animals and responsibility,” the zoo said.
Lea lived at the zoo for many years and only last year shared her enclosure with her companion, 16-year-old lion Mufasa. Unfortunately, Mufasa died of kidney disease in January 2025, which was a great loss for Lea and the zookeepers. The euthanasia that has now taken place causes sadness in the hearts of all animal lovers who had developed a close connection with the lioness. Her death is now being investigated at the MV State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries to investigate the exact circumstances.
An animal life in the eyes of the regulations
Keeping zoo animals in Germany is subject to strict regulations, which are anchored in the Animal Protection Act (TierSchG). Every zoo must have the necessary permission from the relevant veterinary office to keep and display animals. These regulations are important to ensure species-appropriate husbandry, care and nutrition of the animals. All owners must have knowledge and skills that ensure species-appropriate husbandry. Restrictions on movement options must never be associated with pain or avoidable suffering, according to the provisions of the law.
The legal basis is supplemented by the “Zoo Directive” of 1999, which sets uniform standards for zoos within the EU. This is a fundamental requirement for keeping wild animals, which is also substantiated in Germany by the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG).
Lea's euthanasia is not only a sad loss for the zoo, but also an important reminder of how critical the responsibility of zookeepers is when it comes to protecting the animals' welfare. Living in a zoo means not only displaying animals, but also respecting their needs and, when necessary, making the toughest decisions.
Lea's memory remains alive for the people at Stralsund Zoo. She will live on as part of the community and in the hearts of carers and visitors. A good place to mourn a lioness who was part of their world for many years.