Residents in fear as lions threaten to escape park

By Vincent Mabatuk

Residents neighbouring Lake Nakuru National Park are living in fear after a pride of lions was spotted trying to leave the confinement yesterday mid-morning.

The lions that were pacing up and down seemed to have been attracted by goats grazing outside the park and wanted to jump over an electric fence.

On Sunday morning, herders at Mwariki area had to relocate their animals following several attempts by the wild cats to cross over from the national park.

“The three lions stood on their rear feet after spotting my sheep next to the fence. I was so scared,” said Peter Kimani. He narrated that fear gripped the entire village on Saturday night after the lions roared the whole night.

He added that a wild animal was seen roaming near a church where children having their Sunday school lessons.

LOCK HOUSES

“We are now forced to lock ourselves in our houses as early as 8pm because the animals could strike any time. It has been five days now that the animals have been roaming next to the fence,” said another resident.

Kimani called on the Kenya Wildlife Serviceto move swiftly to drive the animals deep inside the park for public safety.

This comes four days after residents of Pipeline estate in Nakuru said three lions on Tuesday morning found their way into the estate in the night and spent hours roaming.