Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials announced death of male lion

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials are mourning the loss of an African lion.

The leader of the pack at the park, 6-year-old Kit died Friday.

Officials said via Facebook that he was showing signs of illness that morning and was taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

A blockage in his digestive system was revealed via X-ray, so Kit was taken for emergency surgery.

The beloved beast did not survive the procedure, officials said.

Zoo attendees and animal lovers have offered their thoughts and prayers for Kit via the zoo’s social media pages.

Kit was the second zoo animal to die in about a week.

Its 9-year-old male red panda, Kovu, died July 30.

“The loss of an animal is always heartbreaking, and the loss of two beloved animals so quickly has been hard on everyone. We truly appreciate the outpouring of community support,” said Jeremy Goodman, president & CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Kit came to Pittsburgh in 2019 with two female lions, Abana and Scarlett, and quickly became a favorite of zoo guests, officials said.

Kit and Abana welcomed a litter of three cubs, which have since grown and were relocated to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo last summer.

Abana and Scarlett remain together at the Pittsburgh Zoo and will receive wellness checks from the animal care team, officials said.