The Cincinnati Zoo’s white lion is celebrating its 20th birthday, a milestone in species longevity

The white lion Gracious from the Cincinnati Zoo celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday, a milestone in the longevity of her species. The median life expectancy of their kind is 16 years. Her longevity can be attributed to her special geriatric enrichment, diet and loving care from her care team, zoo officials said. Kind is persistent and can be argumentative with people she doesn’t have much to do with, her guards said. But they said she was smart and easy to train. Gracious was one of four boys born to Prosperity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2001. She was the only female cub of the four. Unfortunately, at the age of 22 earlier this year, prosperity was put to sleep due to age-related issues. She was brought to the zoo in 1998 by Siegfried and Roy, two wizards known for their demeanor with white lions.

CINCINNATI –

The white lion Gracious from the Cincinnati Zoo celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday, a milestone in the longevity of her species.

The median life expectancy of their kind is 16 years.

Her longevity can be attributed to her special geriatric enrichment, diet and loving care from her care team, zoo officials said.

Kind is persistent and can be argumentative with people she doesn’t have much to do with, her guards said. But they said she was smart and easy to train.

Gracious was one of four boys born to mother Prosperity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2001.

She was the only female cub of the four.

Unfortunately, at the age of 22 earlier this year, prosperity was put to sleep due to age-related issues. She was brought to the zoo in 1998 by Siegfried and Roy, two wizards known for their demeanor with white lions.