Male lion killed by females at UK safari park for being 'too old'

A lion at a UK safari park has died after being attacked by the females in his pride for being too old.

Kenya, 18, was severely injured in the attack on Saturday at the Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside, and had to be put to sleep.


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In a statement on its website, a safari park spokesman said: "Kenya was attacked by the female lions of the pride indicating that Kenya's place as pride male was no longer secure; this is natural behaviour for a pride when the male is no longer able to maintain the grace of the females.

"In the wild, male lions are in their prime between the ages of five to 10 years and Kenya, at almost 18 years old, was an old man.

"Although the team of keepers worked quickly to separate them, he sustained multiple injuries. Our team of vets and expert keepers monitored him closely, and following a thorough examination, and taking his old age into account, the difficult decision was taken to euthanise him, to avoid stress and suffering.

"Making a decision on euthanasia is the most difficult of all, but it was necessary and the most humane course of action."

The park said they had expected such an attack, and had been ready to act quickly. They did not move Kenya because they said it would have been unnatural to do so.

"Although there was no prior indication of an attack, because of his age, a challenge from the females has been long anticipated, and as such we were all prepared for when this unpleasant event should arrive. Staff were able to separate the females from Kenya very quickly which allowed us to assess his condition swiftly and handle accordingly.

"Knowsley Safari has created an environment for the lions that is as close to nature as it can be and our pride has a social structure that reflects this. It would have been unnatural to separate Kenya from the pride and house him alone.

"Lions are social creatures and removal from the pride, especially after such a long time, would have been detrimental to his health and wellbeing. Moving Kenya to the bachelor pack would have meant a further attack by one or even all three of the younger, fitter bachelor males and Kenya, being almost 18-years old was in no condition to survive such an attack. In the wild, once excluded from a pride, most males do not live much longer."