Heart-breaking Images Reveal Starving Lions In Horrifying Conditions In Zoo In Sudan

In the wild, lions are fierce, strapping animals. But they have certainly been disgraced in al-Qureshi Park in Khartoum, Sudan. Five lions have been pictured caged, skeletal and dying and held behind bars.

Initially shared by a concerned advocate Omar Salih who works with a group to contact veterinarians and wildlife specialists. He posted the pictures last Saturday and they have since gone viral on social media around the world. They even caught the attention of activists who have started a campaign to free the lions with the hashtag #SudanAnimalRescue.

'The issue is not simply food but most importantly the animals need detailed and special treatment to rid them of infections and issues probably brought about from infested meat and poor diet,' Salih wrote.

The poor big cats have been suffering for weeks without food or medicine, following a spike in food prices due to Sudan currently being in the grip of an economic crisis. Which caused the lions to lose two-thirds of their body weight.

Unfortunately, it was already too late for one of the lionesses who tragically died this past Monday. Salih posted a heartbreaking picture on Facebook of the poor beast with its eyes closed, frail body curled and visible ribs with this caption:

'I regret to inform you that the sick female lion has died. The other female is getting better and the male is OK.'

It's unclear how many lions remain in Sudan, but several are at the Dinder Park along the border with Ethiopia.