
One of Kenya’s oldest lions has died at the age of 19, authorities reported.
The male lion, named Loonkiito, was speared by local herders in the village of Olkelunyiet on Wednesday night while they were protecting livestock.
The village borders the Amboseli National Park – on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi.
The spokesperson of the National Wildlife Service (KWS) Paul Jinaro told media that the lion was old and weak and wandered into the village from the park looking for food.
Jinaro could not confirm if it is the oldest lion in the country but he noted that it is “very old”.
Lion Guardians, a conservation organisation, said Loonkiito is the oldest male lion in its ecosystem and possibly in Africa.
“He was a symbol of stability and longevity,” the organization said in a statement.
Paula Kahumbu is a wildlife conservationist and chief executive officer of Wildlife Direct.
Paula Kahumbu noted she was saddened by the killing of the lion and wanted measures to be taken to protect wildlife in the country.
“This is the heart of the conflict between humans and wildlife and we need to do more as a country to protect lions, who are facing extinction,” Ms Kahumbu told journalists.