The image of a lion is treated with radiation to treat cancer

The South African lion was taken to a hospital in Tshwane, South Africa, to treat early-stage skin cancer.

The News 24 reported that the 16-year-old lion named Chaos was taken to the Muelmed polyclinic at Tshwane to treat skin cancer on May 7. Images taken from the clinic show that the animal lies dormant after being anesthetized and is undergoing the first radiation treatment.

According to the medical staff of the examiner, Chaos was brought in from the back door so as not to panic the patients. This lion is living at Kara Heynis of Lory Zoo , an animal and owl sanctuary in Midrand, South Africa.

The lion is anesthetized when receiving radiation therapy.(Photo: Lory Park Zoo).

According to News 24, Chaos will experience a total of 4 radiation treatments. Because South Africa did not operate animal radiation facilities, Chaos was taken to Tshwane's clinic.

Experts are continuing to study the types of cancer on lions and many other cats. A study published in 2015 found that of the 38 large cats in a center in Germany, there were 18 tigers, 8 leopards, 7 lions, 3 jaguars and 2 leopards. He was diagnosed with cancer in the period of 2004-2013.

In 2012, in the study of 1,000 mammals in zoos with autopsies, scientists discovered 108 cases related to cancer.

The lion is described as a vulnerable species according to the International Nature Conservation Red List (IUCN). According to IUCN data, there are currently about 23,000-39,000 mature lions living everywhere in the world. But this number is expected to drop significantly if the current situation of illegal hunting continues.