'Galbi Lion' Barami, rescued from neglect, dies at 22

Barami, a male lion nicknamed the "galbi lion" for his visibly protruding ribs, has died at Cheongju Zoo at the age of 22.

Cheongju city officials confirmed Wednesday that Barami was found dead at around 8 a.m. The cause of death is under investigation.

Lions typically live 10 to 15 years, and at 22, Barami is believed to have died of natural causes related to old age.

Barami was born at Seoul Children's Grand Park in 2004 and transferred in 2016 to a zoo in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. Confined alone in a cramped indoor enclosure for years, he grew so thin that his ribs became visible — earning him the nickname "galbi lion," a reference to Korean short ribs.

As his story spread, public attention to animal welfare grew.

After learning of Barami's plight, Cheongju Zoo negotiated with his owner and transferred him to Cheongju on July 5, 2023. The zoo gave him the name Barami — meaning "wind" in Korean — in hopes that he would enjoy a better life in his new surroundings.

Life in Cheongju was markedly different from what Barami had known before.

He was initially wary of his new environment but gradually began spending more time in the outdoor enclosure. With proper nutrition and rehabilitation, he recovered his health, returning to a normal body condition within two months of his arrival.

Barami went on to live at a wildlife sanctuary designed to resemble a natural habitat. He underwent socialization training with a female lion named Dodo and eventually shared the space with her. In 2024, his daughter Gurumi — born at the Gimhae zoo — was also transferred to Cheongju Zoo, drawing wide attention when the father and daughter were reunited.

"We will honor the legacy Barami leaves behind and continue to do our utmost to improve animal welfare so that all animals can live in better conditions," a city official said.