Heartbreaking Pictures Show An Old Lion That Was Once A 'King' Living His Moments On Earth

Upsetting photos depict how one of Kruger’s most popular lions spent his last days before he got sick and died. The lion, known as Skybed Scar, once led a pride but was pushed away from the protection and food his family used to provide to the members.

Photographer Larry Anthony Pannell watched him for hours before he died. He knew that he was "witnessing something very special – the real nature both life and death." Once an apex predator, the old lion was being chased by an elephant and seemed weak and starving.

Larry, from California, said:

"Life can be very cruel and to be honest during my career I have seen people lose everything in landslides, earthquakes, and fires. I have photographed automobile accidents with grave injuries.

I do not think any photograph or photo sequence affected me as much as witnessing the death of the lion.

I sat with him only feet away, locking eyes and staring at one another as I watched for an hour as the life left his body."

Larry described how he watched the poor lion take the last drink from a watering hole before staggering away, just "skin and bones." The animal walked as if drunk, trying to catch his breath every few steps before he finally collapsed to the ground. The photographer stayed with the lion while the animal was taking his last breath.

"I just wanted him to know that he would not die alone," he said. "Then, with the last twitch of an ear and his last breath, he was gone. The King was dead".