Beloved elderly lions Hubert and Kalisa euthanized together to avoid living alone

Hubert and Kalisa, the beloved African lion pair from the Los Angeles Zoo, concluded their remarkable life journey together in 2020. The inseparable lions, who had become iconic figures at the zoo, were euthanized due to age-related health issues that significantly diminished their quality of life. Both lions were 21 years old, far exceeding the typical lifespan of 14 to 17 years for their species. While the loss of these majestic animals was deeply felt, many found comfort in knowing they did not have to live without each other.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of our African lion pair, Hubert and Kalisa. Animal care and health staff made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize the 21-year-old lions today due to their declining health and age-related illnesses that had diminished their quality of life," the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens shared on social media. Denise Verret, the zoo's CEO and director, added, "These affectionate companions came to the LA Zoo six years ago, and they quickly charmed themselves into our hearts as we observed their magnificent beauty and unique bond."

Verret continued, "It was often said, you don't see Kalisa without Hubert being close by. So, while it is truly heart-wrenching that we had to say goodbye to this iconic pair, we can take comfort in knowing they left together. These lions will remain a positive part of our history, and they will be greatly missed." According to PEOPLE, Hubert was born on February 7, 1999, at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, and Kalisa was born on December 26, 1998, at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. The pair were introduced at Woodland Park Zoo before moving to Los Angeles together in 2014.

During their time at the Los Angeles Zoo, Hubert fathered 10 cubs, although none were with Kalisa. "This is a very hard loss for our Zoo community. You cannot think of Hubert without thinking of his companion, Kalisa; they've been an inseparable couple for years," said Alisa Behar, curator of mammals at the zoo. "In the early mornings, staff would routinely hear Hubert’s waking roars, and I will personally miss hearing them on my walks around the grounds."

In a statement, the zoo spoke to the pair's advanced age. "With an average life expectancy of mid-teens and about 17 years in Zoos, Hubert and Kalisa were considered elderly when they arrived at the LA Zoo in 2014 from the Woodland Park Zoo, where they had first bonded. They quickly became favorites among LA Zoo guests and staff and were known for their frequent cuddles and nuzzles."

"I have to commend our animal care and veterinary staff for the great care they’ve given this pair, a couple who lived longer than most lions do in human care and the wild," Verret said, crediting the zoo's veterinary and animal care teams for the longevity of the lions.

Animal programs director Beth Schaefer told the LA Times that the lions were charismatic both together as partners and separately" and that "their undivided attention was always on the other as they rested together, cuddled and nuzzled often." Responding to a question on Instagram about the decision to euthanize Hubert and Kalisa instead of letting them die of old age, the zoo explained that both lions had been in declining health over the past few months, with a more rapid decline in the last two weeks.

"Both lions started losing more weight in the past month or so and it was clear that their quality of life was also diminishing," it added. "The strength of their social bond has always been clear; euthanizing only one of these individuals would have been more difficult but with both lions having medical issues, this decision, fortunately, did not have to be made."