One of the oldest lions in U.S. dies at the National Zoo
The African lion Shera, 21, had eight cubs and many descendants at zoos across the country.

Shera, a female African lion, died Thursday at the National Zoo in Washington after suffering a decline in mobility and being euthanized by keepers at the facility.

At 21, she was the oldest lion at the D.C. facility and one of the two oldest lions at accredited zoos in the United States, according to officials.

The average lifespan for African lions in human care is 17 years, zoo officials said. In an email, Jennifer Zoon, a zoo spokesperson, said on Thursday that Shera was considered “geriatric” and lived “well beyond the life expectancy for her species.”