A lion famous for its amber eyes and lush golden mane has died in a gang war in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. 12-year-old “Bob Junior” was torn apart by his younger rivals last week, said Catherine Mbene of the country’s National Parks Authority.
“It is common for animals to fight for territory at a certain age, especially lions,” Mbene said Thursday. Dubbed “the coolest cat,” the lion was feared by his rivals and ruled the savannas of Serengeti Park for seven years.
Name inspired by reggae icon Bob Marley
The big cat, also called “Bob Junior”, was often referred to as the King of the Serengeti and was easily recognized by tourists and tour operators because of its thick mane. He inherited his hair from his father “Bob”, whose nickname was inspired by the dreadlocks of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.
The authority applies to “Bob Junior’s” death as a natural cause, Mbene said. The national park authority does not interfere with wildlife, “that’s why we couldn’t move the aging lion to a reserve or other protected area”. According to the animal welfare organization Cats for Africa, African lions can live up to 18 years in the wild.
The big cat population is under pressure
According to official estimates, between 3,000 and 3,500 lions live in the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania. The big cat population is under pressure as humans encroach on their traditional hunting and migratory areas. In 2020, Tanzania relocated 36 lions from Serengeti Park after attacks on humans and livestock.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
