Mimi had shown signs of losing her appetite and deteriorating health about two weeks before her death, according to a representative of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Veterinarians worked with specialists and Ho Chi Minh City’s Animal Health Department to assess her condition, concluding that she was suffering from multiple organ dysfunction caused by old age. Despite intensive treatment and care, Mimi could not be saved.
White lion Mimi dies on October 21 after 16 years at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Photo: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens).
Born on December 15, 2008, Mimi arrived at the zoo from South Africa in June 2010, alongside a male lion. The male died of old age in March 2022.
Mimi remained at the zoo until her death, bringing nearly 16 years at the institution to a close.
According to the zoo, Mimi was gentle by nature and often affectionate towards the staff who cared for her directly.
She preferred chicken to buffalo or beef, preferences that her keepers came to know through their daily care.
Mimi was the last lion living at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens before her death (Photo: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens).
In her final days, as her health deteriorated rapidly and she became too weak to move independently, Mimi was transferred to a separate enclosure for monitoring and treatment.
Straw was laid on the floor and heat lamps were used to keep her warm. Staff also massaged her and regularly helped her change position to prevent stiffness from lying down for long periods. They assisted with feeding and drinking and closely monitored her condition.
The zoo said that although Mimi sometimes roared in pain during intravenous drips or injections, she would remain still when soothed by her caregivers, allowing veterinarians to continue treating her.
Mimi’s death has left many of the staff who cared for her over the years deeply saddened. To them, she was more than an animal living at the zoo; she was a companion who had been part of their working lives for many years.