Jespah Sadly Missed
1 September 2009 

Werribee Open Range Zoo's much-loved lion, Jespah, had to be euthanased today following a deterioration in her severe arthritis.

Senior Veterinarian Peter Holz said the ageing lioness had been on medication to treat her arthritis for some time but her condition had recently worsened.

Jespah, almost 19 years old, was one of four lions that lived in the Zoo's Lions On The Edge exhibit.

Born at Melbourne Zoo on 6 September 1990, she and her sister, Gopah, moved to Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2004, along with two male lions, Tombo and Tonyi.

Jespah is a mother to nine-year-old Jarrah, who also lives in the Lions On The Edge exhibit, and she has four male offpsring at Melbourne Zoo also .

Lion Keeper Kathy Scanlon said Jespah was an independent, intelligent and strong willed lion and a very protective mother.

Jespah's sister, Gopah, passed away four months ago after suffering from an age-related illness.

Both sisters, Jespah and Gopah, will be sadly missed.