The ugly incidents of human-wildlife conflict reared its ugly head yesterday after herders in Nashipai village, Imbirikani area Kajiado South sub-county speared six lions to death after killing eleven goats in a night of terror in the remote village.
Unlike in the past where human are always the victims, Maasai morans raided the neighbouring Amboseli National Park where the cats had retreated and killed six out of eleven.
The latest development came a day after a lion believed to be the world’s oldest in the wild was speared by herders when he wandered into a livestock pen on the outskirts of the Amboseli National Park.
“A total of 10 lions (have been) killed in the Amboseli ecosystem” since last week, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement, adding that officials had met with community members to discuss the issue.
According to a statement from the Kenya Wildlife Services yesterday, the pride of 6 had killed 11 goats and a dog on Friday night sparking rage from the villagers.
“The discussions centered on exploring ways to minimise the risk of human-wildlife conflict, including developing early warning systems to alert communities of the presence of wildlife in their vicinity,” the statement said.
“The KWS officials engaged the community in an effort to find lasting solutions that will address the conflict while protecting both human lives and wildlife.”
Reports of wildlife straying into human habitats in Kenya have increased in recent years as the animals come under growing pressure from cities expanding into ancient migration and hunting grounds.
On Friday, Loonkito, an iconic 19-year-old male lion, was speared to death by Maasai morans (warriors) after he left the park in search of food.
KWS in 2021 described Loonkito as a “legendary big cat warrior” who had defended his territory for over a decade.
Conservation group Lion Guardians eulogised Loonkito as “a symbol of resilience and coexistence” and said he was “the oldest male lion in our ecosystem and possibly in Africa.”
