The residents of Elmeut Village, Rongai, woke up to shocking CCTV footage of a lioness jumping over a wall and getting out carrying a dog. According to the residents, the lioness had killed six of their dogs in a week. Before seeing the footage, the residents were unaware of what was happening to their dogs, which kept disappearing.
A lioness rooming around in the neighboring has posed a serious security threat to the neighborhood. Their main concern is their security when coming home at night and in the morning when their children should be going to school.
Kenya Wildlife Society spokesperson Paul Jinaro confirmed the incident on Tuesday night and urged residents to be careful, especially at night. Jinaro assured Kenyans that the Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) team had been dispatched to hunt down the dangerous lioness identified as Makena.
The HWC team is working with a backup from the Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU) to patrol the locality in search of the lioness.
According to KWS, the lioness is not nearby but is suspected to be hiding her curbs in a different location. The team is following footprints, trying to spot blood stains and any presence of curbs that can indicate that the lioness might be in the area.
The Nairobi National Park gate
KWS has also confirmed the presence of wildlife in the Rongai and Kitengela areas following heavy rains. The spokesperson confirms that the predatory animals migrate from the Nairobi National Park to human settlements like Rongai, Kitengela, and the larger Kajiado county in search of food.
KWS confirms that 80% of Nairobi National Park is well-fenced, assuring the safety of the entire city from wildlife. However, the animals are noted to be escaping through the southern part of the park, where water-logged areas and long grass act as their hiding spots.
KWS is also urging residents to report to them if they spot any stray animals within their vicinity. They also appeal to Kenyans to be careful of misinformation and ‘fake news’ regarding wildlife being seen in their residents. This follows a recent allegation of three lions being seen near the Nairobi Women’s Prison along Langata road.
The KWS assures residents that the search for Makena the lioness is ongoing and that the public’s safety is their top priority. As of Thursday morning, the team had not notified Kenyans and the residents of Rongai if they had captured the dangerous animal.
