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Beloved TV Lion Iblis Dies at Chester Zoo After 15 Years
27 Sep, 2025
Summary
- Iblis, an Asiatic lion, died at Chester Zoo at age 18
- Iblis starred in the Channel 4 documentary "The Secret Life of the Zoo"
- Chester Zoo staff praised Iblis' "regal, majestic presence" and "incredible care"
On September 27, 2025, the Chester Zoo in the UK announced the passing of Iblis, a rare Asiatic lion who had been a beloved resident of the zoo for the past 15 years. Iblis, who was known for his "deep, booming call" and "regal, majestic presence", had starred in the popular Channel 4 documentary series "The Secret Life of the Zoo".
The zoo's head of mammals, Mark Brayshaw, praised the incredible care and enrichment that Iblis had received from the dedicated Carnivore Team, allowing him to thrive and leave a lasting impression on all who knew him. Brayshaw noted that Iblis had "far exceeded" the typical life expectancy of 16 years for a wild lion, a true testament to the exceptional treatment he received at Chester Zoo.
The Asiatic lion is one of the rarest species in the world, with only around 900 remaining in the wild. Chester Zoo has announced that they will be welcoming two new "carefully matched" Asiatic lions in the upcoming months, continuing their commitment to the conservation of this endangered species.
