Zoo Boise’s male lion, Jabari, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Jabari is undergoing veterinary treatment and will not be outside in his exhibit most days. Jabari had not been his normal self and was recently examined by the zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Holly Holman. It was during this exam that Jabari’s lymphoma was discovered. His prognosis is unclear at this time.
Jabari arrived at Zoo Boise in 2008 with the opening of the African Plains Exhibit. He is 14 years old and is part of a pride of three lions consisting of himself and two females. Zoo Boise will update the public on Jabari’s condition as we know more.
Visitors to Zoo Boise’s free admission day on Saturday will not be able to see Jabari on exhibit. Claus ‘n Paws is the zoo’s day to thank the community for all of its support of the zoo throughout the year. Admission is free for everyone; the zoo is open from 10:00a until 5:00p with the last admission at 4:30p. Throughout the day, animals at the zoo will receive holiday gifts. The two lionesses will receive theirs at 10:30a and will be on exhibit for the rest of the day.
Zoo Boise invites the community to Keep Your World Wild. The zoo turns the act of visiting the zoo into a conservation action. In the last nine years, visits to Zoo Boise have generated more than $2 million towards the conservation of animals in the wild, redefining why we have a zoo. Recently, Zoo Boise pledged $100,000 to help replant native vegetation on burned Table Rock. The zoo has also pledged $2 million over 10 years to support the restoration of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and is currently in raising funds to build a Gorongosa National Park Exhibit in Boise.
Zoo Boise is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, a national organization that supports excellence in animal care, conservation, education and science. Located in Julia Davis Park, Zoo Boise is open from 10am – 5pm.