Turf war between lions and herders in Kenya. In this country, which has about 2,500 lions, according to a first census in 2021, incursions of wild animals into inhabited areas have increased in recent years, while urban development is eating away at their territory. As a result, Maasai herders seek to protect their herds.
"In total, 10 lions (were) killed in the ecosystem of Amboseli," a national park in the south of the country, since last week, lamented in a statement the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), adding that meetings had been held with representatives of local populations. Loonkito, a 19-year-old male lion, was killed with spears on Friday after entering a cattle pen near the park.
"He was an old lion who struggled to feed on himself and cattle are easy prey. A normal lion would have gone looking for wildlife inside the park," KWS spokesman Paul Jinaro said. "Discussions focused on how to minimize the risk of human-wildlife conflict, including developing prevention systems to alert communities to the presence of wildlife in their vicinity," KWS said. Six other lions were killed on Saturday alone by herders, after their herd was attacked by a feline.
- Planet
- Kenya
- Lion
- Biodiversity
- Africa
- Breeding