A 14-year-old girl has been killed by a lion while walking near Nairobi National Park in Kenya. The incident occurred at Savannah Ranch, a residential compound adjacent to the national park. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the lion snatched the girl from her home and followed tracks to the nearby Mbagathi River where she was found dead.
The agency has set up traps and deployed search teams to look for the lion, but it is still at large. KWS has taken additional security measures to prevent further attacks. Nairobi National Park, which lies just 10km from the city centre, is home to various animals including lions, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, and cheetahs.
While lion attacks on humans are rare in Kenya, they can occur, particularly when livestock comes into conflict with wild animals. In a recent incident, CCTV footage showed a lion attacking a dog from another neighborhood near the park.
Conservation groups are urging KWS to improve risk assessments and communication about wildlife movement and behavior, especially in areas like Savannah Ranch where attacks have occurred. They recommend equipping lodges, camps, and residential developments with anti-predator systems such as lights, alarms, secure fencing, and sprays.
The incident is the latest in a series of fatal animal attacks in Kenya, including a 54-year-old man killed by an elephant on Saturday.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6jxl4pl03o