(Image from Cheynne Mountain Zoo)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo experienced an irreplaceable loss Friday, May 27, 2011, when Elson, the zoo’s 16-year-old male African lion, passed away. Born in the wild at Kapama Reserve, located next to the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa,  his legacy will live on. Elsoncontributed critical founder genetics to the North American Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) through his 13 cubs and at least seven grandcubs.

His descendents live at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities all across the U.S., including Abilene, Bronx, Pueblo, San Francisco, Minot, Tulsa, Akron, Baltimore, Birmingham, and here in Colorado Springs.

A Tribute to Elson