A lion killed a lioness shortly after being introduced at a popular zoo this week.
Resident lioness Akili was 'fatally injured' by lion Josh shortly after their introduction at Birmingham Zoo in Alabama.
The heartbreaking incident happened on Monday 18 July, with the zoo confirming the sad news on Facebook.
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According to the zoo, introductions like this one are 'always risky' and 'unpredictable.'
They said: "Birmingham Zoo is mourning the passing of beloved African lioness Akili. The lion was fatally injured on Monday afternoon, [18 July], during introductions to male lion Josh."
Staff at the zoo are said to be 'devastated' by the loss of Akili, a 'long-time favourite animal, and member of the zoo family."
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Akili was born in 2005 at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in Colorado Springs, Colorado - she moved to the Birmingham Zoo in 2007, where she's lived ever since.
In 2011 she welcomed five cubs with African Lion Kwanza, who died in 2021.
Following Kwanza's death, the zoo tried to find a new companion for Akili, which is when they found Josh.
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Hollie Colahan, the zoo's deputy director, said of the incident: "Animal introductions are always risky because wild animals can be unpredictable and we cannot control their interactions."
She went on to add that "Unfortunately, Akili sustained serious injuries within the first few minutes of the meeting and despite immediate intervention by the Animal Care and Animal Health teams, she succumbed to her injuries and died Monday afternoon."
Chris Pfefferkorn, President, and CEO of the zoo also weighed in, expressing his sadness over the situation: "The loss of an animal is always sad but when it is sudden and unexpected, that makes it particularly difficult.
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"Please keep the amazing team and everyone that worked with Akili in your thoughts as there are no words that can ease the pain of such a spontaneous loss.
"We are thankful that so many in the community had a chance to see and experience Akili, she was a great ambassador for her wild counterparts."
Akili will also be dearly missed by the public, who often come to see the lions, giraffes, and elephants that reside at the popular Alabama zoo.
The zoo is home to around "550 animals of 180 species and endangered species from six continents."
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In 1999, the zoo became a not-for-profit organisation.
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Shola Lee