The lion from the Haifa Zoo collapsed into the water pool while writhing in front of visitors

(live here with the animals) - The lion Yago from the educational zoo in Haifa is already 19.5 years old, a relatively old age for a lion, although in captivity lions can live for many years. But recently Iago became very weak and last night (Saturday) he collapsed and fell into the pool water in his cage at the zoo. The sight, according to people who witnessed the case, was difficult and heartbreaking. Visitors who were there at the time reported that the sight of the magnificent king of animals when he was so weak, suffering from convulsions and trembling and helpless was unbearable.

The lion Yago, who was transferred from the safari in Ramat Gan to the educational zoo in Haifa in 2015 in place of the lion Simba who died, suffered from severe social problems, this following the special and powerful love story he had with the older lioness Shir, who was abandoned by her other female lionesses. The love story of Iago and Shir was published in 2013 on the occasion of Valentine's Day.

During all the years that Iago stays in the zoo in Haifa he lives a lonely life. Recently, due to his old age, he became weak, sore and depressed. Yesterday, Saturday 25/2/23, his condition reached its peak, or it is more correct to say the peak of the low point that the Haifa king of beasts, strong and sturdy, his body betrayed him due to his age. Iago suffered from tremors and convulsions and could not stand on his feet. He collapsed and fell into the pool in front of the visitors, who were pained to see him in this state. Iago fell into the pool and there was no one to rescue him and he was actually in danger of drowning. After more than an hour he managed to leave on his own. The harsh appearance was etched in the minds of the visitors, they said, as was his shaky physical appearance and sad look.

Iago the lover who gave up the crown and the leadership, as published in 2013, was only 8 years old at the time when the lioness Shir was already a mature lioness of 18. Due to her advanced age, her fellow lionesses harassed her and left her alone. The young and strong Iago who was the leader of the lions' pack, decided to give up the crown to give Shir a shoulder and support her. At first a friendship developed between the two, which later developed into a close friendship until they shared the sleeping cells. After that, the courageous love bond that separated them from the rest of the group began between the two, this after Iago decided not to go out into the yard as usual every morning. He stayed in his cell to exchange roars with a song - In doing so, he signaled to the lonely lioness that he was sacrificing his leadership to be with her.

In 2015, as mentioned, Yago was transferred to the Haifa zoo after he became isolated on safari and refused to make contact with the other lions in the herd. When they arrived at the Haifa zoo, they tried to connect the two lionesses Gaia and Gov to him, a connection that was not successful due to his special nature, which caused them to attack him and put his life in danger. Therefore it was decided to let Iago live as he wished alone, sharing the large yard in rotation with the lionesses.

In the last eight years, as mentioned, Yago lived in solitude, but received the dedicated care and love from the zoo team, thanks to which he reached his extreme age. But as it became known here, in the last year his condition deteriorated. Although he is old and weak and suffers from routine old age problems that are appropriate for his age, but last night he experienced a breakdown that is apparently beyond his usual problems.

Yesterday (Saturday 25/2/23) Yago was not at his best, he was very weak and suffered from tremors and contractions and when visitors were there, they saw him collapse and fall into the pool. Due to his weakness, the unfortunate Naria had a hard time getting out of the pool, and it took him more than an hour to pull himself out and get out, to the point where he was in danger of drowning.

Lahi Pa learned that the zoo's veterinarian did not come to take care of the lion, and her replacement also did not come to take care of the incident. Finally they called the Kiryat Motzkin zoo veterinarian, after the lion had suffered for a long time.

The educational zoo gave a response to Hai Fa:

"Yago is a very old lion, about 20 years old. Yesterday (Saturday 25/2/23) he experienced a seizure, which on the surface appears to be a type of convulsion, which lasted a short time and whose circumstances we are investigating. Yago came to us from the safari in Ramat Gan after being rejected from the herd there. Like lions Others living today in zoos that are members of the European Organization of Zoos are part of a population management program for endangered species, but at his extreme age he will not be able to join the group of lionesses and breed."

In response to our questions, the zoo provided more:

1. Iago's care is as dedicated as it has always been, and he undergoes periodic tests and evaluations of his medical and physical condition as required by his age. Unfortunately, old age does not look good, even in animals, but this has nothing to do with treating Yago.
2. Since yesterday's incident, which was unexpected and without prior signs, Iago has been undergoing diagnostic processes that are expected to continue for some time, although there is a reasonable chance that this is related in one way or another to his advanced age. At this point Iago came back to himself, but he still remained closed and would remain so at night, for the purpose of recovery and surveillance.
3. In order to provide the best response, at any time and situation for veterinary backup, the zoo has the option of calling several different veterinarians and this time a veterinarian from the Kiryat Motzkin zoo was called who was available and could arrive in a short time, as indeed happened. Fortunately for us, Yago did not need medical treatment yesterday, and today he seems to have recovered and is recovered.
4. As stated earlier, Iago spent the night recuperating and keeping watch. As far as his condition allows, he will go out to the show yard again tomorrow, after the water pool has been emptied and lined with straw to be safe, and the process of diagnosing the cause of yesterday's incident will continue.

Hila Lauper, a member of the city council, gave a speech

The zoo, the stain of Haifa, should be closed!
How we love to read about romantic friendship stories and personify animals but the truth is that there is no romance in being locked in a cage all your life!

Iago decided to give up the crown, come on...

Fabricated stories designed to attract the public to the wrong place! And the public mostly understands that what they see is wrong, they enter with a smile and leave with a feeling of discomfort when they see the suffering of the animals. No matter how magnificent a zoo is, it is still a cage and a prison for the entire lives of animals who have done no harm to anyone.

Even murderers and rapists are pardoned. It is very bad that there is no veterinarian for such emergencies! How is it possible that this unfortunate man lies down for an hour and there is no one to help him?
It is simply absurd and a very big failure that there is no medical response for the animals imprisoned there.

Unfortunately, the current mayor did nothing to promote the closure of the zoo, I hope that the next mayor will understand that there is no place for this cruelty to animals in Haifa and we can work together until the zoo is closed.