Mandisa, rare African white lioness at S'pore Night Safari, euthanised due to signs of tumours

Mandisa, a 15-and-a-half-year-old African white lioness at the Night Safari, was euthanised "on medical and welfare grounds" on Feb. 21, 2025.

Mandai Wildlife Group's veterinary and animal care teams made "the difficult decision" after a health examination revealed she suffered from an incurable condition: masses in her abdomen and fluid buildup, which were later confirmed to be blood from tumours.

In response to Mothership's queries, Guillaume Douay, a veterinarian at Mandai Wildlife Group and co-chair of the group's Animal Welfare Scientific Advisory Group, confirmed Mandisa's passing.

Who's Mandisa?

Mandisa, whose name means "sweet" or "pleasant" in Xhosa, a South African language, made her debut during Night Safari's 20th anniversary celebration in May 2014.

She leaves behind her mate, Sipho, a 16-year-old male, whose name derives from the Xhosa word "isipho", meaning "gift".

According to Mandai, African white lionesses usually live up to 16 years, whereas lions typically live up to 12 years.

Rather than albinos, the species is "a genetic rarity" of lions found in the Timbavati region of Africa, said the Global White Lion Protection Trust.

Health worsened in early February

According to Douay, Mandisa has been showing signs of weight and muscle loss, as well as reduced appetite, since early February.

"Over the last two years, due to her age, she has also been under close observation by both our keeps and the veterinary team," the statement read.

Douay added that animals of advanced age, like Mandisa, are part of Mandai's senior animal care plan, where they are provided with "specialised diets" and "regular veterinary check-ups".

Concurrently, the animals are also offered "individualised care to support their well-being and address age-related health concerns".

"This programme is designed to improve the health span of animals, helping them age comfortably while maintaining a good quality of life," said Douay.

Cancer found in Mandisa

Following Mandisa's passing on Feb. 21, a necropsy confirmed the presence of cancer in her, which had spread to multiple organs, said Douay.

According to him, cancer is more common in aged animals.

As animals' health can decline in ways that affect their quality of life as they age, Mandai teams "continually assess the welfare of each animal".

"When age-related issues become too severe to manage through treatment or care, euthanasia is considered as the most compassionate option," added Douay.

'Affectionate' towards Sipho & carers

On Feb. 24, Night Safari's lion keepers came together to bid farewell to Mandisa, said Celeste Goh, carnivore keeper at Mandai.

"We will remember her fondly," shared Goh.

According to her, Mandisa was "a highly food-motivated lion" who was quick to engage in positive reinforcement training.

"She was the first to interact with enrichment placed in the exhibit, and once she was done, she'd often go over to explore Sipho's enrichment as well," shared Goh.

Goh also recounted the "incredibly strong" bond Mandisa had with Sipho and the affection she showed towards her carers, adding:

"They were often seen showing affection for each other — rubbing heads or resting side by side in their exhibit. Each evening, as it was time to head into their enclosure, Mandisa would wait for Sipho, and they would walk out together.

Mandisa also shared affection with her carers. She would rub her head against the meshing as a sign of endearment, much like she did with Sipho."

With Mandisa's passing, Goh said the team has shifted its focus to Sipho, who appears to be "adjusting well" and "doing okay".

"As Sipho is also ageing, we are closely monitoring him for any age-related issues to ensure his continued well-being," added Goh.

Top image via Mandai Wildlife Group