Tulsa Zoo is mourning the loss of Shatari, its female African lioness. Shatari began end-of-life care monitoring in June 2022 based on signs of age-related health decline. She was humanely euthanized late last week.
At 22, she was the oldest lionesses within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums community.
“As keepers, we always felt it was Shatari’s world and we had the honor of living in it,” said Tulsa Zoo Zoological Manager of Sea Lions and Large Carnivores Stephanie Kain. “She was able to live a long life due to the excellent care she received from the animal and veterinary staff at Tulsa Zoo.”
Shatari was born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Jun. 23, 2002, and moved to Tulsa in 2006 as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan®. She had two offspring in 2009, Zuber and Thabo. Zuber has sired four cubs as a part of the SSP.
Shatari came to Tulsa Zoo in 2006 as a companion to Kofi. Following Kofi’s passing in 2017, the zoo found a new companion for Shatari. Kalu, came to the Tulsa Zoo from Denver Zoo in 2018. Shatari took her time warming up to him, but after introductions could often be seen spending time near him.
Kalu will remain on exhibit as Tulsa Zoo staff works with the SSP to make the best decisions for his future.
