NAIROBI, KENYA — A 14-year-old girl has tragically been killed by a lion on the periphery of Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed.
According to the conservation agency, the child was taken from within a residential compound situated on a ranch adjacent to Nairobi National Park.
The alarm was raised by another teenager, prompting KWS rangers to follow tracks leading to the nearby Mbagathi River. It was there that they discovered the remains of the primary school girl.
The lion responsible for the attack has not yet been located. However, KWS stated that a trap has been set, and dedicated search teams have been deployed to locate the animal. The agency further indicated that enhanced security measures have been implemented to prevent any subsequent attacks.
Nairobi National Park is located approximately 10 kilometers (six miles) from the city center and provides a habitat for diverse wildlife, including lions, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, and cheetahs.
While the park is fenced on three sides to prevent animals from venturing into the city, its southern boundary remains open to facilitate the natural migration of animals in and out of the protected area.
Although instances of lions coming into conflict with humans occur in Kenya, particularly concerning livestock, fatal attacks on people are relatively uncommon.
In the previous year, CCTV footage captured an incident where a lion snatched a Rottweiler dog from a residence situated near Nairobi National Park.
In a separate incident, KWS also reported the death of a 54-year-old man who was killed by an elephant on Saturday. This event occurred in central Nyeri County, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Nairobi.
The elephant was grazing in Mere Forest when it attacked the man, inflicting severe chest injuries, fractured ribs, and internal trauma. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
