In a tragic incident highlighting the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Kenya, one of the country’s oldest wild lions, a male named Loonkiito, was killed by herders. The incident occurred when the frail 19-year-old lion ventured out of Amboseli National Park in search of food and entered a village. This unfortunate event follows the spearing of six other lions from the same park by herders, who took this extreme measure after the lions killed 11 goats in the Mbirikani area of Kajiado county. Shockingly, these recent deaths bring the total number of lions killed by herders to 10 in just one week, raising serious concerns for the government.
Paul Jinaro, a spokesperson for the Kenya Wildlife Service, expressed his concern over the situation. He urged local communities not to harm wandering lions and instead encouraged them to seek assistance from the wildlife service. The government, along with various conservation groups, has implemented a compensation program to support herders whose livestock fall victim to wild animal attacks. However, the recent drought, described as the worst in decades in the East Africa region, has left herders more protective of their livestock, leading to a surge in conflict with wildlife. The killing of Loonkiito, the oldest lion in Amboseli National Park, has deeply saddened conservationists. Wild lions typically have a lifespan of around 15 years, making Loonkiito’s longevity particularly remarkable.
Craig Miller, a representative from the Big Life Foundation, described the incident as unfortunate, emphasizing the significance of this iconic lion within the park. In response to these distressing events, Tourism Minister Peninah Malonza visited the Mbirikani area to engage with the local community. She implored them to refrain from harming lions and instead encouraged them to collaborate with the wildlife service. The government and conservation groups are working together to address the issue and find sustainable solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, thereby ensuring the preservation of Kenya’s precious wildlife heritage.