system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Avatar: The Last Airbender] What happened to all the lion turtles?

As seen in the Wan arc of Legend of Korra, there were many lion turtles, at least four. But in book 3 of ATLA, only one is still alive (that we know of), what happened to the rest?
gpt
They were hunted to near extinction. Much like how firebenders hunted dragons, it was a sign of great power and respect to kill a lion turtle. The one that taught Aang energybending was confirmed to be the last living one.