'It's a quieter place without him': Fota Wildlife Park announces death of Shanto, the Asiatic lion

Shanto the male lion braves the early morning cold at Fota Wildlife Park. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the death of popular Shanto, an Asiatic lion who passed away after a "short, untreatable illness."

Despite every attempt by the veterinary team, Shanto's condition deteriorated, and "the very difficult decision was made" to put him to sleep. 

The diagnosis of kidney failure was confirmed at post mortem.

Ten-year-old Shanto was the only male Lion at Fota Wildlife Park. He arrived from Santillana Zoo in Spain in 2016 and joined sisters Gita and Gira who arrived from Helsinki Zoo in Finland earlier the same year as part of an Ex-situ Programme (EEP) for this species in European zoological institutions.

Shanto the male lion finds his Christmas present at Fota Wildlife Park. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Shanto sired a number of offspring at Fota Wildlife Park, which have become part of the EEP at other zoological intuitions in Europe.

Julien Fonteneau, lead ranger said the team at Fota are "stunned and shocked" over the loss of their beloved Shanto.

"It’s been devastating to witness such a powerful and dignified animal succumb to illness in a short space of time. He was hugely popular with the visitors and undoubtedly was a highlight of their visit. 

"Shanto was very interactive and curious, and Fota Wildlife Park has been such a quiet place since he became ill. We all hugely miss his majestic roars every day, and it’s such a quieter place without him.”

According to Fota Wildlife Park, there are an estimated 674 Asiatic lions existing in the wild, living in the Indian state of Gujarat, Western India.

This small population is steadily increasing but the species is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).