This is sad news out of the Houston Zoo:
Bruno, whose deep-throated roar could be heard throughout the grounds of the Houston Zoo, and sometimes as far away as nearby Ben Taub Hospital, was euthanized by local zoo officials Tuesday.
Zoo officials said the African lion was in severe kidney failure with no other treatment options available.
Bruno had been at the Houston Zoo since 1989. Over the weekend, the animal showed signs of deteriorating health. He lacked an appetite and winced as in pain.
This Chronicle story has a beautiful picture of Bruno and includes a wonderful remembrance:
“He had a tendency to call first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening,” said Hollie Colahan, the zoo’s curator for primates and carnivores. “You could hear that all over the zoo.”
[snip]
Other than his daily roar, Bruno didn’t do much, but he still managed to maintain a high profile with zoo patrons.
“He lay around and looked good — that was mostly his job,” Colahan said.
Well yes! That’s what kitties do best. (Striking resemblance, eh?)
