On March 6, the Belfast Zoo announced it euthanized Barbary lion sisters, Thheiba and Fidda<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
The lifelong companions, both 22, helped conserve the Barbary lion subspecies, which is extinct in the wild<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Zoo says the pair shared a strong bond and lived far beyond the average lifespan for a lion<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Two beloved sister lions who spent their lives side-by-side at Belfast Zoo<\/a> have died at the age of 22.<\/p>\n In a release<\/a> published on March 6, the zoo, located in Northern Ireland, announced that it humanely euthanized Barbary lionesses Thheiba and Fidda \u2014 the zoo’s last lionesses of the rare subspecies that is extinct in the wild \u2014 due to their declining health. In a statement, the zoo said the pair lived far longer than the typical life expectancy for lions, whether in the wild or in captivity.<\/p>\n “We’re sad to share the news that our two remaining Barbary lionesses at Belfast Zoo, Thheiba and Fidda, have passed peacefully,” the zoo said.<\/p>\n A Barbary lioness According to the zoo, Thheiba had recently developed mobility issues and experienced weight loss in the weeks leading up to her death. After a veterinary assessment, the staff decided to euthanize her to prevent further suffering.<\/p>\n Because lions are highly social animals that rely heavily on companionship within a pride, veterinarians also recommended euthanizing Fidda to avoid the stress and welfare challenges she could face if left alone.<\/p>\n “Lions are highly social, pride animals that rely on companionship within a group,” a statement from the zoo read, noting the sisters had lived together their entire lives and shared an especially close bond.<\/p>\n Both lions were 22 years old, significantly older than the average lifespan for a lion.<\/p>\n During their lives, Thheiba and Fidda played an important role in conservation as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex-Situ Programme (EEP), a breeding initiative designed to help maintain genetically healthy populations of endangered animals in human care.<\/p>\n The sisters produced multiple offspring through the program, contributing to efforts to protect the future of Barbary lions, a lion subspecies that is now extinct in the wild.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cfdcc9d145967e0069767cdc7a9dbd90.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: FADEL SENNA\/AFP via Getty<\/p>\n