A pair of African lions were euthanised at an Australian zoo after the male lion underwent a medical episode. The female was, however, healthy but the zoo officials decided to put her down as well. The matter has sparked backlash on the internet.

Amani and her male partner Mujambi were euthanised at the Adelaide Zoo on Thursday. “Both big cats are now at rest,” the zoo said.

Mujambi was 19 years old and suffered a medical condition over the weekend. His condition kept deteriorating despite the team of veterinary doctors providing the required treatment. The zoo officials then decided to euthanise the lion to prevent further suffering. 

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Amani was also put to rest soon after. She was the oldest lioness in the country. The zoo said in a Facebook post that the “negative welfare and aspects of her life without Mujambi were determined to outweigh any positives of remaining alone”, which is why she was also put down.

It added that while deciding what’s best for the animals, they need “to consider species-specific behaviour.” While tigers can live in isolation, African lions can’t. Dr Phil Ainsley, Director of Adelaide Zoo, said, “Normally you’ll either get a pride or, as they get older, a couple living together.”

However, moving Amani to another pride or environment might have had a negative effect on her and stressed her out, the zoo director said.

“In the case of lions, they are a social species, and the likelihood of safely moving or integrating Amani into another pride or environment was considered too risky and stress-provoking,” Ainsley said.

Amani and Mujambi had been together for 16 years. Mujambi was a “handsome lion with a beautiful mane despite his old age”, the zoo said.

The two shared a special bond. “She swiped at him, growled and bossed him around, but she also wanted to be no further away from him than his shadow,” said zoo curator Deb Barry.

Amani and Mujambi lived beyond the average life expectancy of 15 years in the wild for African lions, the zoo said. “Under human care in a zoo or safari park setting, lions can live into their 20s. At 23 and 19 both lions were in the latter stages of their lives,” it said.

Amani recently turned 23 in May and her keepers had a birthday party for her, “with members and volunteers turning up to watch her demolish enrichment items created by Adelaide Zoo’s BEEZA team.”

The zoo also shared videos of her rolling around with balls at the party.

Despite the zoo’s best efforts to explain the sad turn of events, people are questioning the decision to kill both animals. Some of them wonder why she couldn’t have been given another mate, while others are angry to see Amani’s life being taken away because of being the only one left.

Responding to the criticism, the zoo clarified that the decision was “not taken lightly” and that Amani was experiencing a “number of age-related health issues that were impacting her wellbeing”.