Patriarch of Zoo's African Lion Pride 'Rowdy' 1991-2011
'Rowdy', the Toronto Zoo's oldest male African lion has passed away at age 20. Rowdy was a majestic leader of the pride of lions at the Zoo and a popular animal with the millions of zoo visitors over these years. In addition to the two male offspring born in 2000 that still reside at the Zoo, another male 'Simba' born in 1999 currently resides at accredited Parc Safari in Quebec. Rowdy's legacy lives on through 'Simba' who has since sired three female and one male to form new lion prides at that facility.
Rowdy's zookeepers remember him as a gentle creature