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Boomer, the lion who made headlines 18 years ago and caused a stir in the Maniwaki, Que., area with his daring escape, has died.
The shaggy-maned African lion was euthanized in early April at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, where he was eventually transferred after fleeing his keeper in April 2008.
Boomer died April 8 after suffering from kidney failure, a condition that he’d been receiving treatment for since last year, the zoo said.
The zoo said it ultimately decided to euthanize him after observing the rapid decline in his quality of life.
Spent days on the lam
Many who live in western Quebec may remember Boomer’s incredible bolt from his keeper nearly two decades ago.
The man, a resident of Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg, had been looking after Boomer — who was just seven months old at the time — for his friend.
But Boomer managed to break free from his chains and ran from his enclosure.
That forced schools and daycares in the area to go into lockdown. Police deployed a helicopter equipped with a heat-seeking camera as part of their search, and also warned people not to go out at night or into the woods while he was on the loose.
A biologist was also brought in to try to understand the lion’s behavior.
Boomer was eventually found a few days later and transferred to the Granby Zoo east of Montreal, where he became an internet sensation.
“The [Kitigan Zibi Police Service] will always remember Boomer for his love of Chief McGregor’s steak,” the force wrote in a post on Facebook. (Kitigan Zibi Police Service/Facebook)
Boomer was later sent to the Greater Vancouver Zoo, despite his owner’s attempts to reclaim him.
While he ultimately spent most of his life in British Columbia, Boomer remained important to many in western Quebec.
“Boomer will always have a place in our hearts,” read recent a social media post from the Kitigan Zibi Police Service.