'Galbipyeo Saja' Looks Gallant Now... Tail Wagging at the Sight of Food

Maintaining Health by Eating 4kg of Meat Even in Hot Weather

Barami (19), a lion who was so emaciated that his ribs were visible, sparking abuse controversy, has been moved to Cheongju Zoo and regained his health.

Showing a healthy appearance by wagging his tail at the zookeeper... also undergoing medical training

The image of Baram (19), a male lion who regained health at Cheongju Zoo.
[Photo by Cheongju Zoo Instagram]

On the 19th, Cheongju Zoo shared an update on Barami's condition through their social media platform Instagram, stating, "It has been two weeks since Barami arrived."

They added, "Although he still only moves between the indoor enclosure and the indoor exercise yard, the sound of the animal welfare staff bringing food makes Barami happy," and "Despite the hot weather usually reducing appetite, Barami eats 4kg of beef and chicken all at once."

In fact, a video was posted showing Barami wagging his tail vigorously and devouring the food when the zookeeper threw it near the small exercise yard.

Photos and videos released by the zoo show that the previous emaciated appearance, where his ribs were visible, has completely disappeared, and he has gained weight and improved his physique, showing a healthier look.

The zoo added, "Meokbo, a male lion one year older, and Dodo (12), a female lion, cannot take their eyes off Barami," and "We hope that with autumn coming, they will not mind each other's body heat."

Currently, Meokbo and Dodo live in a wildlife protection facility covering about 2,000㎡ at Cheongju Zoo. Barami is also planned to be gradually introduced to live together through step-by-step training.

Barami was born in 2004, which is close to 100 years old in human age. Since his physical functions have declined and he may have underlying diseases and pain, regular check-ups are planned.

Because anesthesia and blood tests are required beforehand, the zoo has also started Barami's medical training.

Medical training is a process where animals voluntarily participate in medical procedures such as blood collection and weight measurement.

In response to the 'rib-showing lion' abuse controversy... moved from Bukyung Zoo to Cheongju on the 5th

The appearance of Barami during her stay at Bukyeong Zoo in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall·Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Barami, born in 2004 at Seoul Children's Grand Park and moved to Bukyung Zoo around 2016, was relocated to Cheongju Zoo on the 5th. He had lived for seven years in a cramped enclosure about 14m wide, 6m long, approximately 25 pyeong in size.

After the female lion he lived with died, he lived alone in an indoor space where three sides and the ceiling were all closed off, except for the side with a transparent window installed for visitors to observe.

While at Bukyung Zoo, Barami was so thin that his ribs were visible, lying on the cement floor or showing lethargic behavior with dry coughing. Since last month, complaints requesting better animal welfare have been continuously submitted through the Gimhae City Hall website.

Regarding the abuse controversy, Bukyung Zoo denied starving Barami but admitted that they could not properly care for the animals due to a decrease in visitors after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subsequently, Cheongju Zoo stepped forward to take care of Barami, and Bukyung Zoo agreed.

Cheongju Zoo is a municipal zoo operated by Cheongju City. It is known for prioritizing the treatment and care of animals rescued from the wild rather than simply confining them for viewing. The lion enclosure where Barami will live is reported to have soil ground, allowing him to live relatively freely.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.