Herders have reportedly killed six lions near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya. This is a blow to conservation efforts as the tourism industry is a key pillar of the nation’s economy.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said that the lions were killed after they attacked eleven goats and a dog in villages near the park, adding that earlier in the week, four lions were killed.
“Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident as over the last week four other lions have been killed,” KWS said in a statement on Saturday.
According to Times Live, KWS said its officials met with the local community to try to find a solution to recurring conflicts between the animals and community members, but did not say what had been agreed. Residents around nature reserves in Kenya often complain that lions and other carnivores kill livestock and domestic animals as humans and wildlife compete for space and resources. The 39,206-hectare Amboseli National Park is home to some of the most prized game including elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes and giraffes.
