The Lion is a unique animal featured in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Quick Answers

What is the origin of the lion in Red Dead Redemption 2?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the lion is an authentic exotic species from Margaret's circus, claimed to hail from 'Tanganyiki'. Unlike other circus animals, it's not a disguised North American species. This non-native creature, not listed in the compendium, is among the few game enemies capable of instantly killing the player.

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Can you save the lion in Red Dead Redemption 2?

The Lion in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a unique, non-native species. It's one of the few enemies that can instantly kill the player if they fail to shoot it first. Players can obtain the lion's paw, but there's no evidence to suggest that the lion can be saved.

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What is the significance of the lion's paw in Red Dead Redemption 2?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Lion's Paw is a valuable item obtained by killing the Lion during the 'He's British, of Course - IV' mission. After selling the paw to a Fence, the player can craft the Lion's Paw Trinket, which boosts the player's stamina experience bonus by 10% permanently.

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How can you kill the lion in Red Dead Redemption 2?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the lion can be killed by shooting it. This non-native species is among the few enemies capable of instantly killing the player. If the player does not shoot the lion in time, it can cause immediate death by lunging and slicing the player's throat. Stealth tactics such as using a knife or bow can be employed, and various weapons can be crafted for hunting. However, when the lion charges at the player, the player is forced to shoot and kill it.

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What is the purpose of the lion paw trinket in Red Dead Redemption 2?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Lion's Paw Trinket is a crafted item that boosts the player's stamina experience bonus by 10% permanently. The Lion's Paw, necessary for crafting the trinket, is procured by killing the Lion during the 'He's British, of Course - IV' stranger mission.

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History

Background

This unnamed lion was one of three animals featured in Margaret's circus. However, unlike the "tiger" and "zebra" which were both North American animals painted and tarred to look exotic, the lion was a genuine exotic species. Margaret claimed he came from "Tanganyiki".

Events of Red Dead Redemption 2

After the player finds and captures the "zebra" and "tiger" for Margaret, they are informed that the star attraction lion was spotted at Emerald Ranch. Due to the prior animals being imposters (including a small dog dressed with a wig to look like a lion), the player believes this last animal is also an imposter.

The player travels to Emerald Ranch where they find two frightened ranch hands keeping the barn doors shut and warning others to stay back. The player tells the ranch hands to step aside despite their warnings and enters the barn. However, the lion leaps out from the roof, instantly killing one of the ranch hands and several cattle. This leads the player to follow its trail across the ranch to the stables where the lion steps out from. Surprised that this animal is an actual lion, the player stumbles back as the lion spots them and charges, forcing them to shoot and kill it.

In spite of the death of the lion, Margaret still gives the player an Emerald worth $50 as payment. Optionally, after killing the lion, the player can cut off its paw to make the Lion's Paw Trinket.

Location

The lion can be only encountered once in Emerald Ranch, The Heartlands during the Strangers side-mission "He's British, of Course" where it must be killed.

Trivia

• The Lion has a unique character model in spite of only appearing briefly in the game. The model moves and operates similarly to that of a cougar and panther.
• The Lion is the only member of its species which appears in the entirety of Red Dead Redemption 2 due to being a non-native species. As such, it is not included in the compendium.
  • It is also the only non-american exotic animal seen in the Red Dead Redemption franchise.
• The Lion is one of the few enemies which can instantly kill the player, others include the Vampire, Sheriff Freeman, the Night Folk, the Hermit, and the Legendary Giaguaro Panther.
  • Aside from the Legendary Giaguaro Panther, it is the only animal that can kill the player instantly.
• The exact subspecies of the Lion is unknown. Margaret makes reference to "Tangyaniki" when describing where the lion is from, which may be referring to Tanganyika - modern day Tanzania. This implies it is an East African Lion although it is unknown if Margaret actually knew where it was from.
• A special animation for the player can be seen if they fail to shoot the lion, where the lion lunges and slices the player's throat and they collapse and die.

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