Male lion killed by females lioness at safari park because he was TOO OLD

A male lion at Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside has been put down after the females in his pride turned on him because he was old. the lion was 18 year-old, and was badly injured after the attack and on Saturday was put to sleep. A Knowsley safari park spokesman said: 

"Although the Safari team of keepers worked quickly to separate them, he sustained multiple injuries.

A page on the safari park’s website said no members of the public were in danger as visitors remained in their vehicles, reports the Liverpool Echo.

A Knowsley safari park spokesman said;

"Knowsley's 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 very difficult for Knowsley Safari, but they felt it was necessary and the most humane course of action.

"Kenya was a familiar face to visitors and members of the safari.

"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 quite old.

"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."

Staff said they had anticipated such an attack being carried out so were able to get him away quickly, adding that if he had not been euthanised he would have been killed by the females in the pride.

They said that the current group of female lions are a "nice age mix" and had no need to breed so they would not be bringing in another breeding male in the near future.

A post on Knowsley Safari Park's website said: "The pride are being monitored closely by keepers for any signs of distress although none have been observed so far.

"The way that Kenya was rejected by the females implies that this was a choice based on natural instincts and behaviours.

"Change of pride male does have an impact on the social hierarchy in the pride, however much depends on the presence of a strong female who is able to keep all members in place.

"This is a natural process that would happen in the wild.

"Lions live in a pride comprising of related females who remain members of a pride long-term.

"Male lions become a member of the pride because the females accept him as such.

"As a result, the life of a male lion is much more socially precarious than that of the females.

"The lion has to win the grace of the females to become their pride male and usually will only be able to remain the pride male for three to five years, and Kenya, at almost 18 years old, was an old man."