KWS now mulls relocating some lions from Nairobi National

Mohawk, the lion that strayed from Nairobi National Park, seen here moments before Kenya Wildlife Service rangers gunned it down on March 30, 2016. PHOTO | AFP 

By SANDRA CHAO-BLASTO

In Summary

• A day after KWS warders shot dead legendary lion Mohawk over safety fears for human Lemek, another lion, was found dead outside the park boundary having been speared.
• In February a lioness and her two cubs ventured out of the park and were returned safely after KWS officials recaptured them.
• A day after KWS warders shot dead legendary lion Mohawk over safety fears for human Lemek, another lion, was found dead outside the park boundary having been speared.

The Kenya Wildlife Service is mulling the relocation of some of its lions from Nairobi National Park as part of measures to reduce conflict with residents.

The 138 square-kilometre park has witnessed growth in the wildlife population since its inception in 1946 with the number of lions rising to 35.

Mr Paul Udoto, the KWS communications director, said that the agency was undertaking a study to determine the optimal carrying capacity of the park.

“With the recent infrastructure developments neighbouring the northern part of the park and increased human activities in the southern side, we want to know the optimum number the park can carry,” he said.

In February a lioness and her two cubs ventured out of the park and were returned safely after KWS officials recaptured them.

Two lions were also believed to have returned to the park on their own accord on the same day. Since then, incidents of lions leaving the park have been on the rise with a loner being spotted along Mombasa Road and another in Kitengela just a week ago.

A day after KWS warders shot dead legendary lion Mohawk over safety fears for human Lemek, another lion, was found dead outside the park boundary having been speared.

Mr Udoto noted that lions had over the years been accustomed to moving from the park and into adjacent spatial lands on the southern side.

“While the land has always been private, some of the herbivores and lions wondered off into the open spaces. The people moving into the new developments have been surprised to see the wondering animals,” he said.