Colchester Zoo in Essex has announced the death of their 18-year-old male African lion, Bailey, who was put to sleep on 11 March 2026. The decision was made by his animal care team after the lion’s quality of life declined because of several age-related health issues.
According to the Colchester Zoological Society, Bailey had been under regular veterinary review for conditions including skeletal stiffness and reduced kidney function. The team had also been monitoring a tumour on his leg before making the difficult decision to end his suffering.
Bailey moved to the zoo in 2010 from Woburn Safari Park and was a well-known figure for regular visitors and local families. He was famous for his loud roar that could be heard across the zoo grounds and lived alongside two female lions, Naja and Malika previously.
The loss of the lion comes shortly after the zoo also lost two Patagonian sea lions named Sydney and Milan. The habitat at Lion Rock is currently empty while the staff who cared for Bailey deal with the loss of the long-term resident.
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