"Even Named Him 'Barami'… 'Rib Lion' Passes Away at Zoo

"Barami," a male lion that received much love from citizens while living at Cheongju Zoo, has passed away.

The City of Cheongju confirmed that Barami died at around 8:00 AM today (August 12) at Cheongju Zoo.

The exact cause of death is currently being analyzed.

Considering that the average lifespan of a lion is 10 to 15 years, Barami, who was 22 years old, is highly likely to have died of natural causes due to old age.

Barami was born at Seoul Children's Grand Park in 2004 and was moved to a zoo in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, in 2016.

He came to be known as the "rib lion" after it was revealed that he had lived alone in a cramped indoor space for a long time, looking emaciated with his ribs showing.

After learning of Barami's unfortunate story, Cheongju Zoo consulted with his owner and transferred Barami to Cheongju on July 5, 2023.

He was given the name "Barami," which carries the meaning of hoping he would live a better life.

After coming to Cheongju, Barami adapted to his new environment and regained his health.

At first, he showed wariness toward the unfamiliar environment, but gradually the amount of time he spent in the outdoor enclosure increased.

Through sufficient nutritional supply and rehabilitation, his body shape recovered to the normal range in about two months after his transfer.

He later lived in a wildlife protection facility created with a nature-like environment, and after adaptation training with a female lion named "Dodo," they came to live together.

In 2024, Barami's daughter "Gurumi," who was born in Gimhae, was also moved to Cheongju Zoo, drawing attention to the reunion of the father and daughter lions.

A city official said, "Reflecting on the meaning Barami leaves behind, we will do our best to improve animal welfare so that animals can live in a better environment in the future."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.