Breaking News: Blijdorp’s 15-Year-Old Leeuw Lalana Put to Sleep
Rotterdam’s Blijdorp Zoo has made the difficult decision to euthanize its 15-year-old leeuw, Lalana, who was suffering from feline leukemia virus (FeLV). This progressive and incurable disease, also known as feline AIDS, had accelerated her decline in recent weeks due to her advanced age.
The zoo announced on Friday that Lalana suddenly fell ill, refusing to eat, displaying discomfort, and displaying weakness. After consulting with their veterinarian, they opted to end her suffering humanely. This was a challenging decision, as Lalana was not only a beloved resident but was also one of only two Asian leopards (Pantera leo persica) in the Netherlands.
Lalana’s FeLV diagnosis came during a routine fertility examination in November. Since then, her health has been closely monitored. The disease is not uncommon,affecting around 2-3% of cats worldwide, including our domestic pets. However, it’s fatal in nearly 90% of cases, despite advances in treatment and supportive care.
The other Asian leopard at Blijdorp, three-year-old Wishu, has not yet shown signs of illness. However, he’s being closely watched. A blood sample has been taken for analysis, which may indicate infection even if Wishu remains symptom-free. Bear in mind, leopards’ immune systems can sometimes fight off the virus, preventing noticeable symptoms.
Portions of this article have been translated from Dutch.
