Contemplation of a Fading King

This photo isn't the greatest since it is blurrier than I would want, but I think the content outweighs the lack of technical quality (plus, I think it could be forgiven considering this was taken at full zoom without a tripod).

This is our friend Rowdy from the Toronto Zoo, who has been seen quite a few times in this gallery. I must say, I have grown quite fond of this old fellow...not sure why, but sometimes you grow attached to animals for no apparent reason. I'd like to go and see him sometime soon - he is very charismatic.

Rowdy is a bit of the old man in his pride. I'm not sure how well he has done to retain a position as top lion, but he is definitely not getting any younger. A lion in his state in the wild probably wouldn't do too well in the wild, but here at the zoo he enjoys a comfortable, spoiled life (save for occasional dealings with bees). His life will eventually end, but he is living it with exceptional dignity fitting of a fading king.

Lions were once the most widespread predatory mammal besides man 10,000 years ago. However, humans being jealous of this king oppressed, abused, and destroyed these animals. They are currently considered vulnerable under the IUCN and things are not getting any better for them.