The lion’s condition was a textbook case of nature at its most unforgiving. His hide was thick with engorged ticks, clustered heavily around his neck and underbelly. These weren’t just a nuisance; they were likely draining him of blood and carrying diseases like tick fever, which causes severe anemia in large cats.
The inflammation was visible even from a distance. But the most immediate threat was an open wound on his flank, which had become infested with screwworm larvae. These parasites were literally eating the animal alive, preventing the wound from healing and inviting a systemic infection.
It was clear that without medical intervention, the lion wouldn’t last another forty-eight hours. Kofi didn’t hesitate.
He radioed the park’s veterinary mobile unit, giving them his exact coordinates and a status report on the animal’s critical condition.
Luck was on their side; the vet team was less than an hour away. While he waited, Kofi stayed with the lion. After finishing the meat, the cat collapsed back onto the grass, his strength spent. Kofi filled a shallow container with water and slid it toward the lion’s head.
The cat managed to lap at it slowly—a small but vital sign of life.
When the vet team arrived, they moved with professional efficiency, sedating the lion with a dart. Dr. Fumi, the lead veterinarian, confirmed Kofi’s fears but found something even more telling during the exam: a deep puncture wound behind the left shoulder.
The puzzle pieces fell into place. The lion had been shot by poachers but had managed to escape. The wound had prevented him from hunting, leading to malnutrition, which in turn allowed the parasites to take over his weakened immune system.
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