Popcorn Park Zoo's Beloved Lion Simba Dies

LACEY, NJ — For the last 10 years, Simba the lion was a fixture at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River.

From his roars that could be heard for miles to his love for his caretakers, Simba was a special part of the zoo's family, said John Bergmann, executive director of Popcorn Park Animal Refuge.

It's why the death of the beloved lion is hard for the refuge's staff and volunteers — along with many visitors and fans.

"It is with heavy hearts that we inform you all that our beloved lion, Simba, has passed away after a very long and full life with us," the zoo announced on its Facebook page Tuesday.

Bergmann said Simba, who was about 20 years old, had died of age-related illnesses, including renal failure. Lions usually don't live that long, he said.

Simba's long life was a testament to the love and care he got from Bergmann and the others at Popcorn Park.

"He had a special bond with us," Bergmann said. Whenever someone would come up to his fence, Simba would respond.

"He was the kind that as soon as he sees you, he was up on his feet," Bergmann said, and even if he was a distance away, Simba would "go on a full run to get to the fence and see you, like a house cat rubbing up against your legs.

Simba had arrived at Popcorn Park in 2014 with three other big cats, the zoo said in a post on the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Facebook page. He was one of several animals at a facility in Alabama that needed assistance after their owner fell ill.

He was severely underweight and had parasite issues, Bergmann said.

"When he came he was in really bad shape," he said. "It took us a long time to get weight on him."

While anyone who has ever had a cat can tell you that giving it medication can be very challenging, Simba was very cooperative.

"We had to give him steroids" in those early days, Bergmann said. "Simba would come right over to the fence and get his shots."

Over time Simba gained weight and regained his health, although he was always on the lean side, he said.

Simba was the only male lion at Popcorn Park until two years ago, when Aslan, a 9-year-old male joined the facility's family. Kanu, a 10-year-old male lion, came to Popcorn Park in December.

"To hear all three roar was really special," Bergmann said

The three lions were kept in separate areas, and Aslan and Kanu would defer to Simba, following his roar with theirs.

"They gave him the respect he deserved," Bergmann said.

While the staff always interacted with Simba from behind a fence — "he could hurt you just by playing with you," Bergmann said of Simba, who weighed about 300 pounds — he returned the love and compassion that his caretakers gave him.

"He's one of those (animals) who gave it right back to you," Bergmann said.

Popcorn Park was established in 1977 as a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused, or elderly — farm animals, birds, and wildlife (domestic and exotic). It is part of the Associated Humane Societies and is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. It also is a federally licensed zoo.

"It meant so much to us to know we were helping him and that he was giving us that love back — which he did tenfold," Bergmann said. "Simba has left a lasting legacy at Popcorn Park. Though we miss him dearly, we are honored to have provided him with a new life and sanctuary for 10 wonderful years."

You can see a clip of Simba enjoying a warm day in 2020 on the Popcorn Park Zoo's Facebook page. More information on Popcorn Park and how you can support the zoo can be found here.