A Tribute to Elson King of the Zoo is a photograph by Ernest Echols which was uploaded on May 30th, 2011.
A Tribute to Elson King of the 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. Elson... more
Title
A Tribute to Elson King of the Zoo
Artist
Ernest Echols
Medium
Photograph - Mixed Media
Description
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo experienced an irreplaceable loss Friday, May 27, 2011, when Elson, the zoo's 16-year-old male African lion, passed away. Elson was receiving end of life care, and at the time of his death, was under anesthesia for treatment of a dental infection. It was during the procedure that Elson's heart stopped. Typical life expectancy of African lions in captivity is 14 to 20 years.
Elson's legacy is two-fold. He contributed critical founder genetics to the North American Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) through his 13 cubs and at least seven grandcubs. These 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.
Uploaded
May 30th, 2011
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Comments (15)
Ernie Echols
Thank you Joy :) I've been up there a few times and it just isn't the same. He had such a personality.
Joy Tudor
Very nice photograph and work. What a nice tribute to Elson. I'm sure he will be missed by many, but like you said he lives on in his cubs. Great job.
Diane Daigle
Sorry for your loss Ernie,,, he certainly was an incredibly regal creature and you have done him justice with your beautiful image... so well done and a new fave for me! :>)
Ernie Echols
Thank you Stuart and Andrew, Glad you like it. He will be missed but not forgotten he passed away Friday, May 27, 2011.
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