Kenya's wildlife department said May 12 that a wild lion believed to be the world's oldest wild lion died at the age of 19 after being attacked by a herdsman with a spear.
"Legendary Big Cat Warrior"
According to AFP, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) spokesman Paul Genaro said the lion, named Loonkito, was male, born in 2004. At around 9 p.m. on May 10, it stabbed to death with spears by local nomadic Maasai after straying into a livestock pen on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park.
Loonkito, the oldest wild lion in the world.
A witness, who asked not to be named, said the lion looked weak when herders attacked it. "Before we realized it was a lion that preyed on livestock, we heard commotion in the cowshed. We confused it with light, and soon others came and began to stab it with spears. Loonkito looked helpless. ”
According to reports, Loonkito's health has further deteriorated due to hunger caused by a prolonged drought.
According to African cat protection groups, African lions can live up to 18 years in the wild. Kenya's Wildlife Service describes Loonkito as a "legendary big cat warrior" who has been defending its territory for more than a decade.
Loonkito is known as the "legendary big cat warrior."
The conservation group Lion Defenders praised Loonkito as a "symbol of resilience and coexistence." The nonprofit said on Facebook: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the death of Loonkito, the oldest lion in our ecosystem and the oldest in Africa. ”
The frequent presence of lions in residential areas caused panic
In recent years, reports of wildlife straying into human habitat in Kenya have increased as cities sprawl and human migration have put increasing pressure on wildlife survival.
Ginaro, an official with the Kenya Wildlife Service, said: "People need to be vigilant and find a way to inform us before we can bring the animals back to the national park." ”
In July 2021, a lion strayed from its habitat in Nairobi National Park into a crowded residential area during the morning rush hour, causing panic.
The park is located only 7 km from the centre of Kenya's capital. It's not unheard of for ferocious wildlife to flee the grasslands and wander into this metropolis of more than 4 million people.
Wildlife sometimes strays into human habitat.
In December 2019, a lion bit a man to death outside a park. In March 2016, another lion was killed after attacking nearby residents.
In February 2016, two lions lingered all day in the densely populated city of Kibera before returning to the national park. A few days later, locals found more lions in the town.
According to Kenya's first national wildlife census conducted in 2021, there are about 2,500 lions in the country.
Compiler/Writing: Nandu reporter Shi Minglei Intern Wang Qianyan