Nguyen Ba Phu, director of the zoo’s animal division, said Mimi arrived in 2010 when she was about two years old. He explained that lions in the wild live about 10‑12 years and zoo lions usually live 15‑16 years. Mimi exceeded that average lifespan.

The male lion that arrived with Mimi died in 2022, leaving her as the sole lion at the zoo. Many citizens say Mimi was part of their childhood visits to Saigon Zoo. After the zoo announced her death on Facebook, people posted sadness and condolences.

Mimi’s long life and the community’s feelings show how a single animal can become a shared memory. Her story reminds us that the zoo is more than a place to see animals – it is part of many people’s lives.