I read the article and found this passage rather odd:

(quote)
Extensive discussion of tranquilizing the lions had apparently taken place. Sheriff Lemon consulted with the Game and Fish Commission and Henning before reaching the decision to have the lion killed instead of tranquilized. Henning told them the lion might hallucinate and act violently if it was tranquilized and Lemon ultimately felt the threat was too great to take a chance. (/quote)

Tranquilizing lions happen a lot in Africa and the only issue that seems to occur is making sure the tranq does not run out before the humans are done working. I am not a Vet so I am talking in ignorance at this point but I think it is more likely that the local government looked that the cost of tranqing and caring for this animal and decided to go the cheap route.


Just my two cents.