- KWS said during rains, herbivores migrate through the unfenced southern part of Nairobi National Park towards human settlements like Rongai, Kitengela, Athi-Kapiti, and the larger Kajiado and its environs
- This is because the park is waterlogged and has overly long grass, which provides hideouts for predators
Image: FILE
The lion reportedly sighted near human settlements in Ongata Rongai might have been pursuing prey, an expert has said.
Jirmo Tuqa said on Thursday that the big cat might have been following herbivores migrating through the unfenced southern part of Nairobi National Park.
“Prey availability is a major factor in such circumstances. For Nairobi Park, it is a seasonal migration time for herbivores after such high rainfall. Carnivores normally track along with herbivores to the Kitengela, Kapiti, and Kajiado and further,” Tuqa said.
The expert, who works with conservation NGO Nature Kenya, said it is unusual for such a young female to be separated from her pride unless it has given birth in nearby thickets and could not find enough food, hence preying on domestic dogs.
The lioness was captured on CCTV scaling the perimeter wall of a private residence and making off with a dog in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
Kenya Wildlife Service announced that it had dispatched backup from the more seasoned Problem Animal Management Unit.
By that evening, KWS rangers were still pursuing the big cat.
Tuqa’s view corroborates that of the KWS, who said during heavy rains, herbivores migrate towards human settlements like the larger Kajiado and its environs.
The ongoing rains have caused significant wildlife displacement, leading to the risk of unexpected encounters with the community around wildlife prone areas.
KWS said the move is due to waterlogged grounds and overly-long grass, which provide hideouts for predators.
“Consequently, carnivores also migrate in pursuit of herbivores, which are the primary food source for lions, leopards, and hyenas. This movement of carnivores leads to unfortunate incidents such as the regrettable predation on domestic dogs as seen on the CCTV footage.”
Over eighty per cent of the perimeter of Nairobi National Park is fenced, KWS said, and much of the city is therefore safe from wildlife raids.
The service reassured residents that the Human Wildlife Conflict team is still patrolling the locality, with backup from the Problem Animal Management Unit.
KWS also appealed to the public to be wary of misinformation, or ‘fake news,’ such as that observed in recent incidents of lions allegedly being sighted near the Nairobi Women’s Prison along Lang’ata Road.
The Problem Animal Management Unit teams were urgently dispatched to the areas and patrolled overnight, but reports turned out to be false.
“KWS is beseeching the public to immediately and in detail report HWC incidents to our 24/7 toll-free line, 0800 597 000.”
The Nairobi National Park was gazetted in 1946 as Kenya's first national park through Proclamation No. 48 of December 16.
It covers 117 kilometers square and is situated 10 kilometers south of Nairobi City Center.
The park borders Kajiado and Machakos counties to the south, and Machakos to the east and south-east.