It is with sadness that we share the news that the young wild lion, Conan, recently passed in Meru National Park in Kenya due to natural causes. The beautiful four-year-old lion was entering his prime years, having been born in Meru in February 2019, before he met his untimely death. He was found on October 27th by our Elsa’s Kopje guide, Mohamed, who was on his normal night safari drive.

Michael Mugo, Pride of Meru Manager for the Born Free organisation shared more in an announcement, stating, “On 27th October 2023, Mohamed, a guide from Elsa Kopje lodge on his normal night safari drive, came across a dead lion near the Mulika pride area. Without hesitation, he rang our team and shared the photos he had carefully captured. With the help of our lion identification database, we confirmed the dead lion was sadly Conan. We informed the Kenya Wildlife Service vet, Dr Duncan Aminga, who joined us in the field the following morning. It appeared that Conan died from a fight with another male, likely over territory and breeding rights.”

The Born Free organization works extensively in Meru National Park and with partners including Elsa’s Kopje, helping to monitor Meru’s lions and record details to add to their comprehensive identification database, including tracking their movements, noting their unique behaviours, and watching their cubs grow and thrive. They have worked tirelessly to reduce conflict between communities and wildlife, working to secure habitats for lions and engage local communities in conservation. Whenever possible, Born Free and partners step in to save wildlife. Unfortunately, in Conan’s case, it was too late to help save him. The beautiful lion will remain in the hearts of everyone who came into contact with him.