Category: Lions | Date: Apr 16 2008 | By: William

Thank you everyone for your comments of concern, we will try now to answer what questions we can at this time.

The first lion was euthanised on the 4th April, 2008, and an autopsy was done by KWS, along with blood samples taken for tests. On 8th April, tests were carried out on the sick lion by KWS. His condition had been deteriorating, but he was treated for dehydration and seemed to improve slightly.

KWS carry out tests on 8th April, 2008.

The decision was taken by KWS to feed the lion each day in the hope that he would recover. The only other lion to fall ill from this pride, the third one from a pride of seven males and five females, had by now mostly recovered without any human intervention.

The recovered lion yesterday morning, he still has the slightest of limps.

Immediately after the lion died yesterday, samples were taken and then sent to the KWS laboratory in Nairobi.

Mara Conservancy has also carried out environmental tests in the surrounding area. You can read more over on Asuka’s blog.

Lions are territorial animals, and the killing of the sick lion by the older male yesterday would have most likely been because of this.

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Category: Lions | Date: Apr 15 2008 | By: William

This morning we went out to check on the progress of a male lion who has been sick for almost two weeks. Although his senses were fully alert, within 24 hours of first showing signs of illness, paralysis of the limbs occurred which meant that he was unable to look after himself.

The lion at the beginning of the illness.

Fully alert, yet almost completely paralysed, despite all our efforts there was very little improvement in his condition. Under instruction by KWS we have been keeping the lion alive by feeding him each day and also bringing water. We have continued this for ten days until this morning when two male lions found the sick lion. One of the lions gave a bite to the back of the head which killed him instantly.

This morning, after the attack. More photos at Flickr.

At the same time this lion fell ill, two other lions from the same coalition also fell ill. Their senses were fully alert, yet paralysis occurred in the limbs. One of the lions was fortunate to recover, however the other lion was so acutely affected that it was decided by KWS to euthanise the male.

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