<p>A Kenyan lion named Loonkiito,&nbsp;believed to be the world's oldest, has died after he was brutally&nbsp;impaled by Maasai morans (warriors) on Wednesday (May 10) night, according to local wildlife officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Loonkiito, who was 19 years old,&nbsp;died in the&nbsp;Olkelunyiet village, located in southern Kenya, bordering Amboseli National Park, while preying upon livestock. The village is famous for being the best place in Africa where tourists can get close to freely roaming wild elephants and other wildlife species.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lion Guardians, a Maasai-operated conservation group, took to Instagram and informed about&nbsp;Loonkiito's demise, referring to him as the "oldest male lion in their ecosystem and possibly in Africa".</p>

<p>"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Loonkiito (2004-2023), the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa. He died yesterday, on the 10th of May 2023 at 19 years old," read the caption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He was a symbol of resilience and coexistence. We at Lion Guardians feel privileged to have borne witness to his life and his legacy. In the following weeks and months, we hope to share the extraordinary story of Loonkiito’s life with the world."</p>

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<p>The king of the jungle was killed because he ventured too close to human settlement. A combination of factors, primarily the drought and lack of food in the forest led the lion to hunt livestock as a last resort.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In desperation, lions often turn to take livestock," the group added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-south-african-rhino-poaching-drops-conservation-efforts-are-paying-off-509865" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: South African Rhino poaching drops; conservation efforts are paying off</strong></a></p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-indian-state-is-opening-up-another-sanctuary-for-asiatic-lions-as-numbers-grow-exponentially-572574#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<h2><strong>Loonkiito was an aberration&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to experts, most lions do not live beyond 13 years in the wild, which made&nbsp;Loonkiito an anomaly. Though it is not confirmed by the Kenyan government if he was the oldest lion on the continent, his death has certainly made an impact and shows the increasing friction between man and animals.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-indian-state-is-opening-up-another-sanctuary-for-asiatic-lions-as-numbers-grow-exponentially-572574"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;THIS Indian state is opening up another sanctuary for Asiatic lions as numbers grow exponentially</strong></a></p>

<p>Paula Kahumbu, a wildlife conservationist and chief executive officer of WildlifeDirect, told BBC she was pained by the death of&nbsp;Loonkiito.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is the breaking point for human-wildlife conflict and we need to do more as a country to preserve lions, which are facing extinction," said Kahumbu.</p>

<p>Notably, apart from Africa, the majestic big cats are only found in India's Gir National Park in the western state of Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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A Kenyan lion named Loonkiito, believed to be the world's oldest, has died after he was brutally impaled by Maasai morans (warriors) on Wednesday (May 10) night, according to local wildlife officials.

A Kenyan lion named Loonkiito, believed to be the world's oldest, has died after he was brutally impaled by Maasai morans (warriors) on Wednesday (May 10) night, according to local wildlife officials. Loonkiito, who was 19 years old, died in the Olkelunyiet village, located in southern Kenya, bordering Amboseli National Park, while preying upon livestock. The village is famous for being the best place in Africa where tourists can get close to freely roaming wild elephants and other wildlife species. Lion Guardians, a Maasai-operated conservation group, took to Instagram and informed about Loonkiito's demise, referring to him as the "oldest male lion in their ecosystem and possibly in Africa". "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Loonkiito (2004-2023), the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa. He died yesterday, on the 10th of May 2023 at 19 years old," read the caption. "He was a symbol of resilience and coexistence. We at Lion Guardians feel privileged to have borne witness to his life and his legacy. In the following weeks and months, we hope to share the extraordinary story of Loonkiito’s life with the world." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lion Guardians (@lionguardians_) × The king of the jungle was killed because he ventured too close to human settlement. A combination of factors, primarily the drought and lack of food in the forest led the lion to hunt livestock as a last resort. "In desperation, lions often turn to take livestock," the group added. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: South African Rhino poaching drops; conservation efforts are paying off × Loonkiito was an aberration According to experts, most lions do not live beyond 13 years in the wild, which made Loonkiito an anomaly. Though it is not confirmed by the Kenyan government if he was the oldest lion on the continent, his death has certainly made an impact and shows the increasing friction between man and animals. ALSO READ | THIS Indian state is opening up another sanctuary for Asiatic lions as numbers grow exponentially Paula Kahumbu, a wildlife conservationist and chief executive officer of WildlifeDirect, told BBC she was pained by the death of Loonkiito. "This is the breaking point for human-wildlife conflict and we need to do more as a country to preserve lions, which are facing extinction," said Kahumbu. Notably, apart from Africa, the majestic big cats are only found in India's Gir National Park in the western state of Gujarat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Wild lion Loonkiito, believed to be world‘s oldest, impaled to death in Kenya

<p>According to a statement issued by the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, at Vandalur near Chennai, nine of their eleven captive lions have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p>

<p>SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19.</p>

<p>Neela, a nine-year-old lion who was housed in the zoo died on Thursday evening, after showing some nasal discharge on Wednesday. Authorities maintain that the lion was provided treatment immediately after it showcased symptoms.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/puppies-are-born-to-talk-to-human-beings-study-389508" hreflang="en">Puppies are born to talk to human beings: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the authorities, on May 26, five lions housed in the Animal House 1 of the Safari Park area of the zoo were reported to show loss of appetite (anorexia) and occasional coughing. Following this, an in-house veterinary team along with those from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(TANUVAS) took immediate action and offered treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The big cats'&nbsp;blood samples and nasal swabs were sent to TANUVAS. Rectal swab and fecal samples of the 11 lions were sent to the National Institute of High Security Diseases (NIHSAD) Bhopal, which is among the designated institutes to take up SARS COV-2 testing in captive animals.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tokyo-panda-pregnancy-increases-stock-prices-of-nearby-restaurants-389486" hreflang="en">Tokyo: Panda pregnancy increases stock prices of nearby restaurants</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the test results, nine of the 11 lions tested positive for coronavirus.</p>

<p>In order to ascertain whether or not the reported results are false positives or the animal could have died of other complications (comorbidities), further samples have also been taken. They were sent on Friday to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.</p>

<p>The zoo authorities maintain that they have been following the precautions issues by the Central Zoo Authority, the Central and the State Governments from time to time.</p>

<p>They also stressed that measures to prevent diseases (prophylactic measures) are being undertaken for the different families of animals such as felids (cats), mustelids (mammals of the weasel family), viverrids (small-medium mammals), and primates. These disease preventive steps are said to be taken in consultation with experts from TANUVAS, Veterinarians of Hyderabad Zoo, and Bronx Zoo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"All the lions that have tested positive are under close observation and on prescribed treatment regimen by the in-house veterinary team in close coordination with the expert team from TANUVAS. All animal keepers and helpers for these animal houses are vaccinated against Covid 19. Separate set of animal keepers are engaged for each group of lions. PPE Kits are mandatory for the animal keepers, veterinary doctors and field staff visiting the area,"&nbsp;concluded the statement from the Zoo.&nbsp;</p>


According to a statement issued by the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, at Vandalur near Chennai, nine of their eleven captive lions have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

According to a statement issued by the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, at Vandalur near Chennai, nine of their eleven captive lions have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19. Neela, a nine-year-old lion who was housed in the zoo died on Thursday evening, after showing some nasal discharge on Wednesday. Authorities maintain that the lion was provided treatment immediately after it showcased symptoms. Also read | Puppies are born to talk to human beings: Study According to the authorities, on May 26, five lions housed in the Animal House 1 of the Safari Park area of the zoo were reported to show loss of appetite (anorexia) and occasional coughing. Following this, an in-house veterinary team along with those from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(TANUVAS) took immediate action and offered treatment. The big cats' blood samples and nasal swabs were sent to TANUVAS. Rectal swab and fecal samples of the 11 lions were sent to the National Institute of High Security Diseases (NIHSAD) Bhopal, which is among the designated institutes to take up SARS COV-2 testing in captive animals. Also read | Tokyo: Panda pregnancy increases stock prices of nearby restaurants As per the test results, nine of the 11 lions tested positive for coronavirus. In order to ascertain whether or not the reported results are false positives or the animal could have died of other complications (comorbidities), further samples have also been taken. They were sent on Friday to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The zoo authorities maintain that they have been following the precautions issues by the Central Zoo Authority, the Central and the State Governments from time to time. They also stressed that measures to prevent diseases (prophylactic measures) are being undertaken for the different families of animals such as felids (cats), mustelids (mammals of the weasel family), viverrids (small-medium mammals), and primates. These disease preventive steps are said to be taken in consultation with experts from TANUVAS, Veterinarians of Hyderabad Zoo, and Bronx Zoo. "All the lions that have tested positive are under close observation and on prescribed treatment regimen by the in-house veterinary team in close coordination with the expert team from TANUVAS. All animal keepers and helpers for these animal houses are vaccinated against Covid 19. Separate set of animal keepers are engaged for each group of lions. PPE Kits are mandatory for the animal keepers, veterinary doctors and field staff visiting the area," concluded the statement from the Zoo.

Lion dies of coronavirus in Chennai zoo; 9 of 11 lions test positive

Bodies of 3 abducted policemen found in Shopian 

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Wild lion Loonkiito, believed to be world‘s oldest, impaled to death in Kenya

Lion dies of coronavirus in Chennai zoo; 9 of 11 lions test positive

Lion dies of coronavirus in Chennai zoo; 9 of 11 lions test positive

Bodies of 3 abducted policemen found in Shopian