Lion dies at Houston Zoo

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Zoo's 18-year-old lion named Jonathan died early this morning, according to the zoo.

The zoo says they discovered the lion had "a serious blood clotting issue and low white blood cell count - findings that are not uncommon in geriatric patients, who often develop the more complex medical conditions."

The zoo said after the animal was examined and placed in the animal hospital, it died overnight.

The zoo says Jonathan the lion came to the zoo in 2006 after being rescued from a private owner when he was just a few years old.

Dr. Adrian Fowler, vice president of Animal Operations for the Houston Zoo said, "Our team of keepers who have spent more than a decade caring and bonding with this incredible animal are grieving this loss, and we support them through this sad time."

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