A KWS spokesperson told CNN on Sunday that this was “an unusually large number of lions killed at one time.”
Kenya Wildlife Service meets with local residents to resolve human-wildlife conflict in Kajiado South Sub District. Photo: CNN
Conservationists have announced that one of Africa's oldest lions, Loonkiito, was killed at the age of 19 earlier this week.
According to conservation organization Lion Guardians, Loonkiito ventured out of the protected area and into a livestock pen in search of food and was killed by the livestock owner.
The organisation said droughts often saw an increase in human-lion conflict, as wild prey became harder to hunt and cattle owners were “particularly wary” after losing so many animals. Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years.
The six lions that died Saturday killed 11 goats and a dog, KWS said in a press release Saturday.
The lions are all part of Kajiado County's Amboseli ecosystem, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve near Mount Kilimanjaro, according to the United Nations.
KWS held a meeting on Saturday attended by local residents and government officials to discuss the recent killings.
“Discussions focused on exploring options to mitigate the risk of human-wildlife conflict, including developing early warning systems to alert communities to the presence of wildlife in their vicinity,” KWS said.
Mai Anh (according to CNN)
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