🦁 A Roar We Will Never Forget: Remembering Ramses. The following is a message from the Capron Zoo in Attleboro.
With hearts heavier than we can put into words, Capron Park Zoo is mourning the loss of Ramses, our beloved 20-year-old African lion and one of the most iconic residents in our zoo’s history.
For two decades, Ramses was more than a lion at Capron Park Zoo. He was a presence. A personality. A familiar face. And, for so many in Attleboro, a familiar sound.
His mighty roar echoed across the zoo and into the surrounding community, becoming a part of the soundtrack of life in Attleboro. It was a sound that announced his presence, captivated visitors, and became something generations of people will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Ramses arrived at Capron Park Zoo as a young lion and quickly became one of our most recognizable and cherished personalities. He was adored by our Animal Care Staff, Veterinary Team, volunteers, and by the thousands upon thousands of visitors who came to see him over the years. After the passing of his two female companions, Ramses seemed to embrace bachelorhood, a natural progression for a male lion in the wild.
At 20 years old, Ramses lived an extraordinary life—far beyond the average lifespan of approximately 10–13 years for lions in the wild. He was also one of the oldest male lions living in an AZA-accredited zoo, a remarkable testament to the exceptional care, dedication, and love he received throughout his life.
In recent years, Ramses experienced age-related health challenges and was cared for closely by our dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary teams. Last week, as his health declined, he was placed under hospice care. When it became clear that his quality of life was declining further and that he was no longer comfortable, our team faced the most difficult decision we make as animal caregivers. With compassion, dignity, and Ramses’ wellbeing at the center of that decision, humane euthanasia was chosen to prevent further suffering.
There is no easy way to say goodbye to an animal who has meant so much to so many.
Ramses’ passing also marks the end of an era at Capron Park Zoo. As animal welfare standards and our understanding of the needs of the species we care for continue to evolve, so too must our habitats. As our lion collection aged, so did the standards surrounding exhibit size. While we hope that, someday, lions may once again call Capron Park Zoo home in a significantly larger and more appropriate habitat, the current lion exhibit will now be repurposed for a new species, which will be determined in the future.
Change can be bittersweet. But it is also part of the story of a growing zoo.
We are incredibly proud of the role Ramses played in our history, and we will carry his legacy with us as Capron Park Zoo continues to evolve. We feel incredibly fortunate to have been entrusted with the care of our African lion ambassadors Kayla, Nyalla, and Ramses, each of whom left an indelible mark on our zoo and our community.
We are also deeply grateful to the Pathology Department at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine for partnering with us following Ramses’ passing and helping transform his necropsy into a meaningful learning experience for a group of veterinary students. Even in death, Ramses is helping teach the next generation of veterinary professionals. For that, we are tremendously grateful.
And now, we turn to you.
If Ramses was part of your life, we would love to hear about him. Share your favorite memories, stories, and photographs of Ramses in the comments below. Tell us about the first time you heard his roar, the day you brought your children to meet him, or the memory of him that you will never forget.
Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort in knowing that Ramses’ final chapter was written with compassion, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to his well-being.
He gave us 20 remarkable years. He gave Attleboro a roar. And he gave countless people memories that will last a lifetime.
Rest peacefully, Ramses. Your roar may be quiet now, but you will never be forgotten. 🦁❤️
Thank you, Ramses, for being such an extraordinary part of Capron Park Zoo—and of our community.
