'That's not just rare. That's legendary': Ginger, the world's oldest lion, gets reaccepted into a pride led by his sons after being overthrown and living solo for years

If you thought life for a cat on the streets was tough, feline fam, the life of a lion is much worse. There are plenty of people who go out of their way to help and feed stray cats, but do you know of any people who feed outcast lions? We certainly don't. But that's what makes Ginger's story below so special. Ginger was the world's oldest recorded lion, who lived to a purrfectly remarkable age of 17 years in the wild. For reference, most don't live past 10.

But Ginger's story isn't just about his age. He was cast out of his pride and lived solo for years, until one day, he approached a pride of lions, led by his sons. He arrived to them nearly blind, his teeth filed down by time, and his face filled with memories of his long life - and yet, they accepted him back into their pride. He did his time and earned their respect, which is one of the hardest things to come by in the animal kingdom.

01

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
Advertisement
02

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
03

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
04

via @literallyfact, @shafeeq_mulla
Advertisement
Ginger, you may not have the gorgeous, flowing mane of a young lion, but we still think you're pretty cute. We would snuggle you, if you would let us. We might give you a bath first, but we think all senior kitties deserve love and cuddles. Even if they're 10x our size.
05

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
06

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
Advertisement
07

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
08

via Shafeeq Mulla Instagram
Advertisement
09

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
10

via GOOD WOLF, Animal World
Respect isn't something that's given, it must be earned. That's true for our hooman lives, and especially true in the animal kingdom. Ginger lived a life nearly 2x longer than his fellow lions, and his face shows it. But instead of casting him away, they accepted him again. That one simple action speaks in roars!
11

via @literallyfact, @shafeeq_mulla
Advertisement
12

via @literallyfact, @shafeeq_mulla
13

via Anneke Vriend
14

via Daphne MacOwan
Advertisement
15

via Tami lona
16

via @literallyfact, @shafeeq_mulla
17

via Blake Moore
Advertisement
18

via Leroy Aone Arnold
19

via Lee Simpson
20

via Andrea Lunde
Advertisement
21

via Christopher Gibbie