Blank Park Zoo Lion Moved to Palliative Care

Veterinary surgeons halted a planned procedure to remove a mass from the 15-year-old lion due to risks.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Pet Health

Blank Park Zoo officials have transitioned Deuce, a 15-year-old African lion, to palliative care after veterinarians determined surgery for an adrenal mass posed excessive risks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has transitioned Deuce, a 15-year-old African lion, to palliative care. The move followed an aborted surgical procedure intended to remove an adrenal gland mass.

Why it matters

Medical teams determined that moving forward with the adrenal mass removal posed excessive risks to the senior lion. The decision prioritizes Deuce's quality of life given his advanced age.

Deuce is a 15-year-old African lion who has resided at the Des Moines facility since 2013. Veterinary experts from Iowa State University and the University of Florida monitored an adrenal mass via CT scan before surgery.

The players

Deuce

Deuce is a 15-year-old African lion who has lived at the Blank Park Zoo for over a decade.

Blank Park Zoo

This Des Moines facility is a zoo that operates the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center.

Iowa State University

This university provided veterinary experts who consulted on the medical care for the zoo's resident lion.

University of Florida

This institution served as an expert resource for veterinary consultation regarding the lion's surgical risks.

Zarina

Zarina is a lion who currently shares the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center with Deuce.

The details

Deuce resides in the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center alongside another lion named Zarina. Veterinary staff consulted with external university specialists before attempting the surgery, but ultimately determined the procedure was too dangerous.

December 2010: Deuce was born at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.
2013: Deuce relocated to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.
Week of September 14, 2026: The medical team performed and then aborted the surgery.

Culture Shift

Modern zoological practices have shifted toward prioritizing end-of-life quality over invasive procedures for aging animals. This move by Blank Park Zoo follows established industry standards for geriatric animal welfare that emphasize the comfort of long-term residents.

Visitors to the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center may notice changes in Deuce's routine or public visibility during his palliative care. Guests are encouraged to check the zoo's daily schedule for updates on his presence in the habitat.

The takeaway

The case highlights the difficult decisions zoological teams face when managing the health of aging animals in captivity. Providing palliative care ensures that resident animals remain comfortable when traditional medical interventions no longer offer a safe pathway to recovery.