There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Ultimately its down to chance. One lion may just have been having a bad day and gotten separated from the group. Which saves him from eating a infected corpse.
The poison theory is interesting and it cant be ruled out that it happened to the missing males. Though I dont think that exact scenario happened.
If the Tumbellas were found heavily ill from poison. They would either be given some medical assistance before dropped of in western sector or put to sleep.
Nor would poison have such a long term effects. Limper for example constantly oscillated from near complete recovery to severely ill in a matter of weeks until one day he just died. If it was poison the long term effects would likely have been more constant.