Believed world's oldest wild lion killed by herders in Kenya.
Loonkito, a 19-year-old Kenyan lion believed to be the world's oldest in the wild, was speared to death by Maasai herders after he was caught preying on livestock in Olkelunyiet village. African lions typically have a lifespan of up to 18 years in the wild, and Loonkito's longevity made him a symbol of resilience and coexistence. With just 23,000 lions left in the wild, the big cats are considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Reports of wildlife straying into human habitats in Kenya have increased in recent years as the animals come under growing pressure from cities expanding into ancient migration and hunting grounds.