Hodari the Lion Gets a Hospital Visit, Wins Over El Paso

Not every day do you see a lion checking into an El Paso hospital, but that’s exactly what happened last week when Hodari, the El Paso Zoo’s seven-year-old African lion, needed some advanced medical care. The big cat was showing signs of lethargy and tenderness while walking, and his care team decided it was time for a closer look.

After running tests at the zoo, the vets concluded that only an MRI could give them the full picture of what was going on with Hodari’s spine and neck. Easier said than done, after all, MRI machines aren’t exactly designed with “lion-sized” patients in mind.

An Unusual Patient at Providence

Hodari was carefully transported to The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus under sedation, making him one of the most unusual patients the facility has ever seen. Because MRI rooms don’t allow metal, Hodari couldn’t use his usual anesthesia setup. Instead, the veterinary team monitored him closely with injected medication, keeping an eye out for any twitch or blink that might mean the king of the jungle was waking up mid-scan.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Hospitals of Providence for providing the resources and support needed to perform Hodari’s MRI,” said Zoo Director Joe Montisano. “The team there was exceptional in coordinating the logistics safely. We are pleased to report that Hodari is doing well.”

A Promising Recovery

The MRI revealed a lesion, but thankfully it’s treatable and not a tumor. Hodari is now receiving steroids, antibiotics, and a lot of TLC from his zookeeper family. His appetite is back, his energy is improving, and yes, he’s already back on display for zoo guests to admire.

Hodari came to El Paso in 2022 from the Pueblo Zoo in Colorado, and he’s quickly become a crowd favorite for his striking looks and playful personality. With treatment underway and signs of improvement, visitors can expect to see this big cat prowling his habitat for many more years.

Looks like El Paso’s lion king is roaring back to health. Check out photos of Hodari in the hospital in this KFOX article!