A heartbreaking incident unfolded near Nairobi National Park, where a lioness fatally attacked a 14-year-old girl. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed the tragedy, which occurred on a ranch bordering the southern edge of the park on the evening of Saturday April 19. The young victim, a Grade 7 pupil, was reportedly in a residential compound within the Savannah Ranch when the lioness accessed the area. Witnesses raised the alarm after spotting the lioness, prompting a swift response from KWS rangers and emergency teams. Bloodstains led the teams to the Mbagathi River, where the girl’s body was recovered, bearing injuries on her lower back.
This incident highlights the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Kenya, particularly in areas adjacent to protected parks. Residents have expressed concerns over the increasing frequency of wildlife entering residential areas, demanding stronger measures such as electric fencing to prevent such tragedies.
KWS has assured the public of ongoing efforts to trace the lioness and address the situation. Conservationists and local leaders are calling for enhanced safety measures, including community education programs and improved fencing, to mitigate the risks of human-wildlife interactions.
