Nature & Environment

Mystery of lioness with a mane has been solved

By T.K. Randall
March 22, 2018

Image: Lion in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Credit: Thomas Fuhrmann / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) The lioness in question, an 18-year-old named Bridget, is a resident of Oklahoma City Zoo. Her caretakers had started to notice the new hair growth at the end of last year.

News of her peculiar condition hit the Internet last month, leading to a flurry of interest from veterinary experts who were keen to examine her in an effort to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Now following a laboratory analysis of Bridget's blood, researchers at the University of Tennessee have discovered elevated levels of androstenedione - a hormone that can contribute to the development of male features.A higher level of cortisol, which regulates metabolism and the immune system, was also found.

Experts believe that a benign tumor is likely to be primarily responsible for producing the hormones.

Fortunately though, despite her condition, Bridget appears to be in excellent health.

Source: 9news.com.au

Tags: Lion