Belgium's oldest lion passes away
Victor, Belgium's oldest lion at almost 19 years of age, has passed away at the Antwerp Zoo. Victor had 11 cubs with two females. One of his sons, 4-month-old Nestor, is now the only male lion in the Antwerp Zoo.
Almost 19 years of age is quite old for a lion. Lions living in nature on average reach an age between 12 and 14 years. In captivity, this is between 18 and 20 years.
Victor (archive photo) was in a bad way as his physical condition was getting worse. He was not standing strong on his feet and his caretakers feared that he would drown in his pond. He also stopped eating and was losing his sight, and was battling problems with his central nervous system. As his condition was getting worse day by day, a vet decided to give him a lethal injection to allow him to pass away quietly.