Beloved lion Mimi dies after 16 years at Saigon Zoo

Nguyen Ba Phu, director of the zoo’s animal division, said Mimi was one of two lions brought to Saigon Zoo in 2010 when the pair were about two years old.

Over the next 16 years, the lion became one of the zoo’s most familiar and recognizable animals.

According to Phu, lions in the wild typically live only about 10 to 12 years because aging animals often lose the ability to hunt and obtain food.

Under human care in zoos, however, lions can live significantly longer, generally reaching 15 to 16 years of age.

Mimi exceeded that average lifespan.

By 2026, the lion had reached 18 years old, making her older than many lions living in zoological parks around the world.

Zoo officials said the animal died of complications associated with old age and illness.

Following her death, staff carried out internal veterinary procedures in accordance with established protocols.

Saigon Zoo also notified veterinary authorities and reported the case to the city’s Forest Protection Department.

Mimi was the last remaining lion at Saigon Zoo.

The male lion that arrived with her died in 2022, leaving Mimi as the sole representative of the species at the facility.

During her years at Saigon Zoo, Mimi became part of the childhood memories of many young people in the city.

After the zoo announced her death on its Facebook page, many people expressed their sadness and condolences.

Established in 1864, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in Asia and remains one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known attractions.

Over the decades, it has served as both a conservation center and a popular destination for generations of local families.