![[Translate to English:] Löwe Paule im Zoo Berlin](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/0/csm_Loewe_Paule_Zoo_Berlin__1__ea707569de.jpg)
17 years is a ripe old age for large cats – they live to between 12 and 15 years of age on average when living in zoos. In the end, Paule had severe problems with his back legs, he could only move them with great difficulty and they could hardly support him anymore. He had also lost his ability to retain his urine. Typical symptoms of old age, which cumulated in a final breakdown of the once proud beast on Sunday.
Paule was put to sleep after a thorough veterinary medical examination on the following morning. At least this puts an end to his suffering. The African lion is currently being researched in the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW).
"My family and I are very sad, Paule was a big part of our life. He was a proud lion who would wake us up in the mornings with his roar. He will be a great miss", proclaims Zoo Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem.
Paule was born in Zoo Berlin on 21 February 1998, his parents were Rudi and Babsi. Lionesses Aketi (born in 2007 in Wuppertal) and Amira (born in 2004 in Neuwied) currently still live in Zoo Berlin.
