"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 Cheongju Zoo at around 8:00 AM today (August 12).

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 very 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 "ribbed lion" after it was revealed that he lived alone for a long time in a cramped indoor space, becoming so emaciated that his ribs were visible.

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

They also gave him the name "Barami," which carries the meaning of "hoping he lives 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, he recovered his body shape to the normal range about two months after the transfer.

Afterward, he 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," 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)