"Looking for Prey" The Sad End of the World's Oldest Wild Lion

Shot after breaking into a house and eating livestock
Difficulty finding food in the wild due to drought

A 19-year-old wild male lion, believed to be the oldest in the world, was shot dead after being struck by a spear thrown by villagers while attempting to find prey.

The living image of Runkito, known as the "world's oldest wild lion" [Image source: 'Lion Guardians' Facebook]

According to foreign media including the UK’s BBC and the US’s CNN on the 13th (local time), a wild lion that entered Olkeruniet village near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya on the afternoon of the 10th and preyed on livestock was killed by the livestock owner.

The deceased lion, named 'Runkito,' was a 19-year-old male. Since the average lifespan of wild lions is about 10 to 15 years, Runkito was considered the oldest wild lion in the world. Lions raised in zoos live longer, with an average lifespan of about 16 to 20 years.

Paul Ginaro, a spokesperson for the Kenya Wildlife Service, said, "We cannot confirm exactly if Runkito was the oldest in Kenya, but he was indeed very old and frail," adding, "This lion wandered into the village in search of food."

The wildlife conservation group 'Lion Guardians,' which works to preserve the lion population in Amboseli National Park, announced Runkito’s death on social media.

Lions sometimes leave protected areas and travel far in search of food when their food sources decrease, which leads to conflicts with humans when lions prey on livestock. Villagers often kill lions to protect their safety and property.

'Lion Guardians' mourned his death, stating, "Unfortunately, Runkito was a victim of this dynamic." The group added, "The death of Runkito, a symbol of resilience and coexistence, is a sad event for both the people of Kenya and the lions."

Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. According to 'Lion Guardians,' as the drought worsens, conflicts between humans and lions inevitably increase. Lions find it harder to hunt prey in the wild, leading them to descend into villages to prey on livestock, and livestock owners develop caution and resentment toward lions after losing too many animals.

Wildlife conservationist Paula Kahumbu told the BBC, "The country needs to do more to protect endangered wild lions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.