KWS Swings To Action After 6 Lions Killed By Maasai Morans

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials held a meeting with the local community after Maasai morans on Saturday, May 13 killed six lions which had invaded homes at Mbirikani- Amboseli near Oloitokitok in Kajiado County.

KWS Board of Trustees Chair, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Walter Raria Koipaton, and Acting Director General, Dr Erustus Kanga, met the local community and National Government Administration Officers in Kajiado South Sub County to address the recent incidences of human-wildlife conflict in the area.

During the meeting, the officials discoursed ways to address the current conflict, which resulted in the killing of the six lions.

KWS officials and members of the community during a meeting on issues of human-wildlife conflicts at Mbirikani, Kajiado County on May 13, 2023. /KWS

KWS revealed in a statement that the lions had killed 11 goats and one dog the previous night (Friday, May 12), adding to four other lions killed over the last week, resulting in a total of 10 lions killed in the Amboseli ecosystem.

"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. The discussions centred on exploring ways to minimize the risk of human-wildlife conflict, including developing early warning systems to alert communities to the presence of wildlife in their vicinity.

"Further discussions centred on the wider picture of exploring human-wildlife conflict in the context of community livelihoods and benefit sharing towards a harmonious coexistence in the open community and wildlife landscapes," stated KWS in part.

Kanga and Raria emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of the local communities with the need to protect wildlife.

They urged the community to report any incidents of human-wildlife conflict to the KWS and assured them that they would work together to find lasting solutions to the conflicts.

"KWS is dedicated to safeguarding Kenya's wildlife and ensuring that wildlife continues to be an integral part of our country's heritage. The Service encourages everyone to work together towards creating a peaceful co-existence between humans and wildlife," added KWS.

KWS' statement came two days after a Kenyan lion considered to be the oldest in Amboseli National Park died following an attack by herders.

The lion, named Loonkiito, was reportedly speared by herders who were repulsing him in Olkelunyiet village at night on Wednesday, May 10.