Even though she was nearly 21 years old, she was still a baby to me. I guess we sort of grew up together at the zoo.
I had only been a keeper a few years when she was born. She was the only female cub of a litter of four, but she was a motivated individual from the start. The volunteers, who were involved in the birth watch, nicknamed her “Motorbutt” because, from the day she was born, she would make her way all around the enclosure while her three brothers stayed close to mom, Prosperity.
Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried & Roy, Siegfried Fischbacher, left, and Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn, right, hold four baby white lions at the Cincinnati Zoo, Thursday, April 26, 2001, in Cincinnati. The four cubs were born April 1 to two white lions loaned to the Cincinnati Zoo in 1998 by Siegfried & Roy. The cubs will be on display this summer at the zoo. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Siegfried and Roy came to Cincinnati shortly after and presented her and her brothers to the city of Cincinnati on the lion viewing deck. The four cubs became famous, always being photographed and in news appearances. Of all the cubs, I would always be the one to hold Gracie. She was my girl.
She took all the changes that life throws, in stride. When she was young, she was picked on by her brothers, but when the 3 brothers moved to the Toledo Zoo at 2 years of age, she had her mother all to herself and seemed to like that just fine. She was a momma’s girl. Always bothering Prosperity and laying right on her.
But, of all the white lions, she was the most like a “real” lion. She didn’t like most people and would only be “civil” to a select few. I was lucky enough to be one of the humans who she deemed worthy of her presence.
Gracious was very intelligent and was willing to train for several behaviors including being hand injected for vaccinations. Her favorite things to do were laying on the deck with her mother and playing with her giant Boomer balls.
When her mother passed a few years ago, we were worried that she wouldn’t be able to adjust without her and would wither away. But being the resilient little lion that she was, she went on and seemed happy with the extra attention everyone was giving her.
In the past couple of years, I haven’t gotten to be with Gracie much, as I have moved on to other areas of the zoo, but the rest of the Night Hunters Crew have always kept me updated on her and sent me pictures and videos. I see how much they all have loved her as much as I have and have taken such good care of her.
I am grateful to everyone for keeping Gracious in your hearts over these years. And, I am grateful to you my sweet baby Grace, for sharing your life with me. It’s been an incredible journey that I will never forget!
Sleep well my sweet angel and give your mom cuddles.
Until we meet again, all my love.
Such a beautiful tribute to a once in a lifetime animal. My sincerest condolences to you Laura and all the amazing caretakers who loved and cared for her. What an incredible job you all were tasked with and what an amazing job you did from start to finish. No single sentient being among us could ask for and receive anything more.
I just lost my beloved and sweet dog and I have watery eyes mentioned her name. I know how all of you care and love this very special animals my thoughts and heart goes out to you and all who care so much for the animal kingdom ! So sorry for your loss !
I’m going to miss her very much sweet baby Gracie was always there when I wanted to talk to her when I visited
Much condolences to your family Gracie ❣️
Sounds like gracie had a great life and many friends that loved her. Im sure you both learnt many things from each other and i hope you love and care for many more animals. Wish you the best in life
RIP Gracie…..
A beautiful and touching tribute. Thank you for sharing.
I remember visiting her and her mom at the zoo while growing up. I’m glad she had such a fun life and a special friend in you.
Rip my pretty.I am so sorry for all the caregivers at the zoo for this great loss.Thank you all for the wonderful life she had.Gone bit never forgotten.She will hold a big place in all our hearts.Run free with your mama babygirl ❤
awesome. made me cry.
Beautiful words for a beautiful, and one of my favorite animals at the Cincinnati Zoo. It was so wonderful to sit and watch Gracie. She definitely will be missed. My deepest condolences and respect to all the care givers. Rest in peace, Gracie!!
So very sorry for your loss of Gracie, sending my thoughts & prayers to all the Zoo staff who loved her. Thank you for sharing her story & the beautiful pictures of her. Heartbreaking loosing a Majestic Lion she will be united with her Mother
Tears! Thank you so much for loving and caring for her for her lifetime. Truly special! Run free with your momma sweet girl ❤
So many of us “grew up” with Gracious, Prosperity, Future, Sunshine, and, briefly, Gracie’s three brothers. They were all much loved and especially Prosperity and Gracious who were with us for so many years. Gracie will surely be missed, and I send condolences to all of her care team with thanks for giving her such great care and such a wonderful life. I will miss talking to her and waiting for her eye contact and tail swish acknowledgment that she was loved.
Aww!! I love tail swishes! Thanks for talking to her. Of course you would but still… 🙂
I feel like I knew her after reading this; I never got to meet her and never even knew about her because I live in NC and have no relatives there. I follow the zoo because of Fiona. Thank you for being you and getting through writing this for everyone. I admire your strength and huge heart. As others have said, there’s no doubt Gracious was in tune with you from the beginning of your bond to when she was “beamed up” to heaven. I’m filled to the brim with love for you, Gracious, Prosperity, and everyone that made sure there was no lapse in her steady flow of affection, comfort, security, and intellectual stimulation.
My deepest condolences to all keepers and staff on the loss of Gracie. Run free out of pain beautiful girl.
To be accepted by such a wild soul is a great honor. You have paid a great tribute to her, and shared with others her fierce, yet gentle side. Thank you for making her life the best that it can be. And most of all thank you for sharing her with the public. Her life has touched many children, and adults who have never known how a large cat lives. Rest easy lady, you were truly a magnificent creature. My soul is sending all the love for your human keepers as they grieve your transition to the rest of your pack.
I’m so sorry to hear about Gracie. I never met her, but she sounds like a very very special girl. My sincere condolences to you Laura and all who loved Gracie. Thank you for sharing your and Gracie’s years together with us. Beautifully written tribute. RIP Gracie. You will be missed.
Laura,
I was there that day ( worked in Marketing Dept) and I shot beautiful photos of the cubs although I’m not able to tell them apart. Their blue eyes were so bright, they were so timid when released in the habitat. I’m so sorry she’s gone, if you would like the photos reach out anytime. [email protected]
I’m feeling so sad for Gracious, she so sad and suffering, I’m very so sorry for Gracious, I always love her as long as I lived, you are a great to taking care of her. Be Brave Gracious! Be Brave
I am wondering how the decision to compassionately euthanize an ailing animal occurs. In the hospital we get a bioethics team consult and all the medical records, diagnostic data are reviewed, and the family is involved if a patient needs to be removed from life support. What happens here?
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
So so sad. I remember being able to be up close with her and her mother during my time as a Zoo Academy student. Two gorgeous girls gone but never forgotten; hopefully reunited at last.
Such a Beautiful little girl. I feel so bad for your loss. We Love them so much but having to say good-bye, well, there’s only so much a co-parent can take. I grieve with you. Bless her Gracious Heart!
I remember seeing her and thinking what a beautiful girl she was. Very sad.
Sad her life was spent in a zoo instead of a natural life & was a commodity. Not a respected being with intelligence & feelings that don’t involve catering to human’s wants & desires. At least now she’s finally FREE of human enslavement & the evil deeds of selfish humans who created her for personal gain & pleasures & sold her brothers to another zoo. What a demonic for profit industry that humans come up with & act superior to, to force our will on innocent beings with sentient feelings & still pretend like we have a right to to this. White people love their slavery of sentient beings. They just can’t get away from making other beings their captives & entertainment. RIP Lioness. You’re finally set free of this hell hole called earth shared with the worst animal of all… Humans & their greed.
What a beautiful tribute. Animals are such a treasure that we cannot take for granted. I’m so happy that Gracie was cared for and loved. To all who work with animals, regardless in what capacity, thank you! Run free with momma Gracie…it’s all yours.
Another one of God’s beautiful creatures going home.Thank you so much for loving ,caring and sharing Gracie throughout her life. So sorry to her human family for this great loss. Just know she loved you all and is now off with her mamma and rid of aches and pains. I believe you will all see her again. God bless you all.
What special people you are to have such a beautiful creature in your lives for so long. My Gracie (dog) is my heart and almost 16 and hoping she can hang on a little longer. I am so sorry for your loss and heartache you are feeling. She knew how much everyone that took care of her loved her and she is now back with her momma so that should help the healing. You never forget them. Prayers to all the zoo handlers & staff.