Africa's oldest Wild lion aged 19 killed in Kenya

Authorities in Kenya have reported that a wild male lion, thought to be among the oldest in the world and the oldest in Africa, died after being speared by herders.

Loonkiito, who was 19, died in Olkelunyiet village on Wednesday night, May 10 after preying on livestock.

The village borders Amboseli National Park - in southern Kenya.

He was referred to as "the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa" by the conservation organization Lion Guardians. Lions typically reach the age of 13 in the wild.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that with a small population in India, almost all lions are found in Africa.

The lion strolled into the village from the forest on Friday, May 12, according to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) spokesperson Paul Jinaro.

Jinaro didn't confirm if he was the oldest lion in the country but noted he was "very old".

The average lifespan of a lion is about 13 years in the wild, although they can live much longer in captivity.