COLORADO SPRINGS — The roaring of the lions at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a little quieter these days.
Elson, king of the pride, died May 27 during a dental procedure. He was 16.
“His roar was a full-body roar,” said animal keeper Jeannette Schwab, who worked with Elson for 10 years. Elson would roar and the rest of the pride would join in, she said, although their roars are not as body-rattling.
Countless people watched black-maned Elson and his pride, and many zoo visitors knew if they waited until near closing time they would hear Elson roar out his presence.
Visitors have noticed the lion’s absence, including a 4-year-old boy who asked a keeper about him. “He really is an iconic animal for the zoo,” said Katie Borremans, zoo spokeswoman. “He definitely will be missed.” Kristina Iodice, The Gazette
