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LA Zoo's 23-Year-Old Lion Dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Zoo says its male lion has died.

Lionel was 23, which is considered old for a lion.

Zoo officials said Tuesday that Lionel had been under close veterinary care for the past several months for neurological issues and urinary incontinence. Zoo staff decided to euthanize him on Saturday after determining that his condition had worsened, affecting his quality of life.

A female lion named Cookie remains at the zoo. She is 22 years old.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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