Oregon Zoo’s male lion, Zawadi, recovering after hydraulic door catches tail

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Oregon’s Zoo’s male lion, Zawadi Mungu, is recovering after his tail was caught under a hydraulic door.

Zawadi was going into the training area from the Predators of the Serengeti habitat when the door caught the tip of his tail.

“Animal-care staff immediately reversed the door, and were able call him back to receive care for the injury,” animal curator Michael Illig said in a press release.

Zoo veterinarian Tim Storms said Zawadi lost the tip of his tail just above the tuft.

“For a 450-pound lion, that’s a relatively small injury, but we are treating it seriously,” Storms said. “After a brief medical procedure, he is recovering well. We expect him to heal without any complications.”

Care staff said after the injury happened, the lion wanted to stay in the training area and eat meatballs, which was reassuring.

Illig said it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury, and they are glad he is recovering.

“But you always feel badly when an animal you care for is hurt,” Illig said. “We’ll be reviewing all the details of the situation – from the building to the mechanics to our protocols – in order to make sure this cannot happen again.”