Six lions within the Nairobi National Park will be collared from today. Kenya Wildlife Service spokesperson Paul Gathitu in a statement said the drive to be led by KWS director General Kitili Mbathi will help in the management of the big cats.
“We have liaised with other conservation partners and five lions have been fitted with satellite radio collars to monitor their movement and location,” he said.
The park, which is one of the smallest in Africa, has abundant wildlife. But the park is now faced with challenges after the SGR was allowed to cut through it. KWS has been struggling to conserve wildlife, but efforts are hampered by lack of funds.
At least six lions escaped from the Nairobi National Park in February last year, a situation KWS attributed to human encroachment. Due to continued invasion of the park, wildlife find it almost impossible to freely move, often straying into residential areas.
In March last year, the park’s star lion, Mohawk, was killed by the KWS, drawing major criticisms from Kenyan and other conservationists. Mohawk was shot dead after he strayed out of the park into Isinya town, Kajiado county.
A few days after Mohawk’s death, another lion strayed outside the park and was speared to death.