Keops, Valencia’s “king of the jungle” had a long life in the BIOPARC Valencia living until he has 19 years old. Life expectancy of a lion in the wild is between 12 and 16 years, whilst in captivity the magestic felines can live up to 20 years.
Keops was one of the first inhabitants of the BIOPARC nature park in Valencia when he arrived in February 2007. Since then he has become a favourite amongst the park’s staff and also local visitors to the centre.
Lion Keops was brought from the Parc Zoologique de Thoiry in France and quickly began a romantic relationship with Fa, a lioness two years the younger. During their 10 year relationship, they could be seen relaxing on the grass, frolicking amongst bushes and prowling on the rocks. The environment at BIOPARC in Valencia tries to make the animals feel at home and the lion enclosure is inspired by the African Savannah with carefully chosen tree, plants and rockeries.
Even though this is sad news, visitors are still able to see two groups of African lions at the Valencia nature park, including sibling of the male Teimoso and Keops and Fa.