On the 27th of October, I received a report from Samburu that a lioness who was seen ill, died on the 28th. She was seen by a tourist who was out on a game drive. The lioness at the time was with a male lion who appeared healthy, however she was hyper-salivating, looked as if she was having a fit and was unable to stand up. The lioness died the following day and a vet from Kenya Wildlife Service arrived to conduct a post mortem.
The lioness was said to be healthy and not malnourished. It was also clear that she had struggled to breathe for a long time before she eventually died. The cause of death at this stage is still uncertain, however, this female was most likely poisoned or had contracted a disease such as rabies.
I am yet to identify the female, however as soon as this is established, I will post the latest update. I am fairly certain that she is a female from the main resident pride – the Koitogor Pride.
Thanks to Lucy King for the photos.