"The zoo’s iconic African lion was 20 years old. His death, announced on social media Friday morning, comes roughly two months after a birthday celebration was held for him celebrating the milestone and a week after he entered hospice care after zoo staff noticed declined comfort in his back legs and decreased interest in his favorite food items."

"But when it became clear that there was further decline in his quality of life, staff made the difficult decision to move forward with humane euthanasia, which happened Thursday morning, zoo curator Casey Ribeiro said."

“Ramses was a magnificent lion. Not only was he often seen as the face of Capron Park Zoo, but also of Attleboro itself as his roar echoed across the zoo and out into the community each day,” Ribiero wrote on the zoo’s Facebook page. “It became a sound that so many of us will always remember.”

"A celebration of life will be held for the public on Monday at noon outside Ramses’ enclosure. It will be included with regular zoo admission for visitors of the zoo to learn more about Ramses’ life, ask questions, look at photos, and share memories. The memorial also coincides with World Lion Day."

Remembering Ramses

"Ribeiro said it has been a sad couple of days for staff, many who worked with Ramses for their entire 15-plus year careers at the zoo. But, they have been sharing warm memories of him and were comforted to know he went in peace and dignity."

“He arrived here as a young lion, and quickly became one of the most recognizable personalities, adored by both our team and the thousands of visitors who came to see him,” Ribeiro said."

"She also fondly remembered when Ramses was featured in the “celebrity animals” section of an Oct. 20 edition of People Magazine in 2008. He was just two years old at the time."