A Kenyan man tragically lost his life to a lion attack as he was riding his motorcycle close to the Shimba Hills National Reserve, located in the nation’s southern region, on the first day of the new year, 2024.
Community members who happened upon an unattended motorcycle near the Marere forested area, within proximity of the Shimba Hills National Reserve, alerted local law enforcement.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered lion tracks from the motorcycle to a nearby bushy area. Here, they found the remains of the as-yet-unidentified man.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) was informed of the situation and took part in the investigation and recovery of the deceased individual.
The deceased is suspected to have been a local resident of the area.
Kenya’s lion population has seen a decline, mainly due to human-wildlife disputes. In light of this critical issue, the Kenyan government has listed lions as endangered, with the population in 2010 estimated to be around 2,000. More recent surveys indicate a modest rise, with the current population estimated at 2,489.
This unfortunate event underscores the difficulties in managing human-wildlife interactions, especially in regions close to wildlife reserves. The Kenya Wildlife Service has set up a rapid response team, the Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU), to address such conflicts. This team collaborates closely with impacted communities and actively monitors emerging disputes, promoting peaceful cohabitation and reducing the likelihood of similar occurrences.
Climate change and the recent extended drought period have been identified by the KWS as contributing factors to the escalating human-wildlife conflict. The migration of wild animals into human settlements in search of water and grazing land has increased, leading to more frequent encounters between humans and wildlife.
