FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s favorite male lion has died after being diagnosed with cancer last week.

Zookeepers have been closely monitoring Bill’s condition since he was diagnosed March 30. But, Bill’s quality of life kept declining. The staff made the decision to humanely euthanize him on April 6.

For the last few days, Bill has been resting in his behind the scenes area with female lioness Ina often laying next to him.

“Our staff’s excellent care has given Bill a great quality of life here, and he in turn has enriched the quality of the lives of all of us and the entire Fort Wayne community,” Dr. Smith, director of the animal programs, said.

Bill and Ina arrived at the Zoo in December 2008.

Zoo staff began to worry at Bill’s health in the fall of 2015 when they noticed he had a bloody nose and his appetite changed.
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