The conservation group Lion Guardians confirmed the death of Loonkiito, a male lion in the wild, which was considered one of the oldest in the world. The 19-year-old cat was attacked with spears by a group of herders who were protecting his cattle in a village near Amboseli National Park, in southern Kenya, Africa.
Loonkiito had come to the area in search of food, since the recent recovery of wild species, after the end of the drought that devastated Kenya, made hunting difficult. In their desperation to survive, the lions often turn to livestock, creating tension among the herders who had lost numerous animals to the drought.
The animal rights group explained that Loonkiito got caught up in this dynamic when, hungry, he wandered into a pen in the middle of the night. It was at that moment that the shepherds, to protect their cattle from him, attacked him with spears, killing him.
Loonkiito was considered one of the longest-lived lions in the world, it is even believed that he was one of the oldest on the African continent. Their loss is a significant blow to the conservation of this species and represents a tragedy for wildlife conservation efforts in Kenya.
Conservation group Lion Guardians deeply mourned Loonkiito’s death and will remember him as a symbol of resilience and coexistence. His legacy will serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving animal life in his natural environment.
Education and awareness about the importance of conservation are critical to ensuring a better future for both animals and local communities in Kenya and across the African continent.