“Brutus was born in Copenhagen in 2000 and came to us here in Herberstein via Schönbrunn in 2002,” says Managing Director Doris Wolkner-Steinberger, deeply saddened: “Together with his partner Simba, he had become a crowd favorite, especially during the guided feeding sessions.”

Brutus was the male lion without a mane—that was his trademark. The animal was neutered at a young age for medical reasons, which prevented him from growing a mane. In the wild, lions live to be 10 to 14 years old, but in zoos they can live up to 20 years. His partner Simba (with a mane) is considered the symbol of the Herberstein Wildlife Park (
), and the lion is also featured in the park’s logo.

The search for a new companion for Simba is already in full swing so that he can have a new partner in his enclosure as soon as possible. Brutus, we—and Simba—will miss you!