Kivu the lion had finally been moved to a new enclosure where he had enough space to move and hide from the curious looks of the zoo visitors. He was moved to Zoo Ave on December 5, 2016; just two months and 12 days later he passed away, he was 18 years of age.

Costa Rica’s beloved lion died on Friday night due to health complications; in the last few weeks’ zoo authorities had confirmed he was suffering kidney problems, didn’t want to eat solid foods and had lost 20 kilograms.

Kivu was donated by La Habana Zoo back in 1999, he was only a few months old. He lived during 18 years at the Simón Bolivar Zoo in San José in a space of 70 square meters that he shared with his sister, lioness Kariba (also donated by Cuba), until she passed away in 2011 victim of cancer.

Animal right defenders in Costa Rica fought for many years to have the lion moved to a different rescue center, to an area more appropriate for his needs, and to improve his quality of life. However, years went by in between bureaucracy and arguments from the FUNDAZOO (entity in charge of Simon Bolivar Zoo) and the authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment.

Carlos Orrego, coordinator of wildlife of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), stated that to avoid situations like the one that happened with Kivu, the Government will prohibit the entry to the county of animals in captivity. In the event that a rescued animal wants to be imported to Costa Rica the authorities will need to evaluate the situation and guarantee the appropriate space and quality of life.