#SaveSylvester campaign wants to spare this lion from death

Some kings just can't be tamed.

A South African lion named Sylvester was sentenced to die on Tuesday because park rangers were frustrated that it wouldn't stay in Karoo National Park.

Despite wearing a tracking collar, Sylvester has escaped the park's fences twice in the past year. He was named "a damage-causing animal" that would be euthanized once caught.

Sylvester's crime: killing a cow.

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But the South African public wouldn't have it. They launched the #SaveSylvester hashtag campaign, calling on the authorities to spare the lion's life. 

They argued that it wasn't the lion's fault that he didn't stay in their patchy fences. Sylvester was just being a lion when he killed the cow — and 26 sheep the first time — for food.

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Park officials released a statement on Wednesday saying they'd reconsider Sylvester's fate. They added that the statement declaring the lion would be killed "was released prematurely."

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"SANParks apologizes to the public for the incorrect statement, which did not accurately reflect the organization's position," the statement said, noting that the rangers were considering five options for the lion. 

Four of those options means Sylvester will live. The fifth would result in its death. Here's what the rangers are considering:

1. Bringing the lion back to the park and looking at improving on fencing and other preventative measures.

2. Translocating the lion to another national park.

3. Donating the lion to another state-owned conservation entity.

4. Donating the lion to a private conservation entity.

5. Euthanizing the lion if the damage caused to assets is significant and if the animal poses a danger to humans. If the animal kills a person it poses an even greater danger as it may lose fear for humans and see them as easy prey.

When it comes to option five, parks officials said: "Our actions in this regard are in line with international norms and standards." 

No decision will be made "until the animal is safely captured."

Sylvester's fate is apparently in his own paws. The lion is currently roaming a remote mountainous area. Officials said they hope Sylvester doesn't find humans there.

If it does, option five is looking ever more likely.

See top #SaveSylvester tweets — and add yours

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