So sad to see the king in his final days 
“I sat with him only feet away, locking eyes and starting at one another as I watched for an hour as the life leave his body. I wanted him to know he would not die alone.”
These tragic pictures document the last moments of a lion that previously ruled his territory.
He was formerly protected and fed by his family, but now that he’s been expelled, he’s become frail.
The lion, also known as Skybed Scar, is well-known in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where he was photographed.
The 64-year-old photographer and acupuncturist Larry Anthony Pannell shot the heartbreaking photographs.
“I realized I was experiencing something really extraordinary… nature, the genuine nature of both life and death,” said Larry from California in the US.
In my professional life, I have witnessed individuals lose everything to landslides, earthquakes, and fires. Life can be really harsh. I’ve captured images of fatal car crashes with severe injuries.
“I don’t believe any image or series of images upset me as deeply as seeing the lion die.
“I watched for an hour as the life left his body while I sat with him barely a few feet away, locking eyes and staring at one another. I wanted him to know he wouldn’t pass away by himself.
“Without seeming obnoxious, I recall visiting my grandma for the final time the night before she died away when she was in the hospital.
We remained silent since we both knew this was the end, and instead we just locked eyes and looked at one another.
This is the first time since then that I have experienced the same sensation of spiritually connecting with another entity and simply knowing.
Thank you for being with him, the only difference would be that I would have sat near him and help his paw.
The king didn’t need his paw held. He had his respect
That would have been a very endearing and extremely kind setiment however what you have to remember is He’s A Lion A and B a wild Animal and lastly C He may not have been receptive to raise and even although ill and dying could have attacked .
Ich gebe Dir Recht Charity Schultz
Absolutely beautiful experience. I’m sure your calming presence was a comfort to this incredible creature.
People are saying why not feed him? He is in the wild and it’s obvious this poor Lion could not struggle and crawl to get his food. Soon he will be the food! This is definitely Nature and it’s heartbreaking 💔 it’s just like when a Dog is dying and is at the end. They have no desire to eat as humans the same.
Thank you for staying with him till the end. Thank you for sharing this time! Unity 🤝 can be death also
God Bless 🙌 🙏 ❤️
This made me so tearful. This once proud and feared king of his jungle cast out and left to die alone. Except he was not alone because you were there and he knew you were there for him in his final hour. Blessings to you
This is heartbreaking so glad u were with him 😪😪 shame he was not with his family😪😪 how old was he.
So glad you was with him in the final moments of his life . He Did not Die alone such a beautiful lion he was when he was young .Now his time is over .
Age is something we have no power over .
RIP king of the Beasts
What a gift from our Universe to you both.
A warrior in his time…like All of us he will be called to return.
Thanks so much for not deserting him!
Thanks you for these photographs and post. The spiritual connection between life forms is a sobering reminder we share this planet with sentient beings. They need the acknowledgement, respect and legal protection we so willingly give to ourselves! Old age is not well treated in our ‘civil’ society either. Consequently, when reading this post, perspective is warranted.
You are one of God’s Good Stweards here on earth. Thank you for being kind and caring enough to give this King of the Beasts a true peace as he crossef over into what i pray for all animals and humans …to be woth our Lord and Creator of all thi gs, amen.😇🙏
Thank so glad you stayed with this beautiful Lion and he didn’t die alone 💔
So glad this beautiful majestic animal didn’t die alone. Hopefully his soul has gone home to god x