When a Lioness Goes Full Lion‑Virgin: The Surprising Wild Day at Indy Zoo
What Happened
A pair of big cats that had been living together for eight solid years suddenly turned into a drama‑queen‑and‑villain story. The king‑pin, Nyack, a 10‑year‑old male, met his doom when his mate, the 12‑year‑old lioness Zuri, decided to go full neko‑style and choke him off.
It was on a plain Monday morning (Oct 15) when the zoo staff heard an unusually loud roar coming from the pen. They rushed in to find Zuri pinning Nyack’s neck until he was unresponsive. One of the little cubs, Sukari, was just a three‑year‑old and egged on by the chaos.
The Big Cow‑Bite
Fortunately for the family, the staff tried to separate the pair, but Zuri’s grips were too strong. The necropsy later confirmed that Nyack died from suffocation caused by the neck injuries.
According to a quote from curator David Hagan, “It’s rare like that, but it can happen—both in the wild and when we’re doing the fancy zoo‑care thing.” The cause? Still a mystery.
Feelings, Feelings, and Another Loss
The folks who spend their whole day at the zoo can’t put it into words—“extremely devastating.” Their hearts were broken because everyone had grown to love Nyack; he was a beautiful lion with a legacy guided by his three cubs.
Zoo Loans and Planning Ahead
Did you know Zuri came to Indianapolis on loan from the San Diego Zoo? They’re part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Although the incident is still under review, the zoo says there areno immediate changes in how the lions will be managed.
Check Out the Story
Now that the lionine drama is over, we just hope the zoo can restore calm and keep the tiny cubs—who need cheering—alive and lily‑pink.
