The lion’s body had attempted to reject the foreign object, resulting in a severe infection and swelling of the stomach. The lion was extremely fortunate to have been discovered by Paul, as the condition was dire and his survival chances were rapidly dwindling. The infection had taken a significant toll on the animal, causing him to become alarmingly bloated and visibly distressed.
This revelation shed light on why the lion had strayed so far from his pride – his deteriorating health had likely compelled him to wander alone in search of relief from his distressing symptoms.