Noise from road construction scares lions from Nairobi National Park, conservationist Paula Kahumbu has explained, following three incidents in two months.
Kahumbu, who is WildlifeDirect CEO, said the construction of a road joining two major highways along the park’s boundary is “disorienting” the lions.
“I suspect that the construction along the (southern bypass) is related to this,” she told ABC news in an interview on Saturday.
“There is a lot of activity, noise and possibly dust and vibrations. The lions are simply not used to this.”
Kahumbu noted that that people and the animals could end up dead. A man was injured in the latest incident but was taken to hospital and reported as being in stable condition.
She added that many people fear the Kenya Wildlife Service could eventually close the park for the road construction.
Conservation experts have attributed increasing incidences of lions wandering out of the park to shrinking territory in the park occasioned by encroachment by government agencies.
The agencies have hived off part of the park to pave way for the standard gauge railway and roads.
At the moment part of the live fence between Ole Sereni and Carnivore restaurant area has been brought down for the completion of the Southern bypass.
The conservationists have opposed the railway line’s construction saying it will further damage the wildlife habitat.
KWS communications director Paul Udoto said an investigation will establish how the lions leave the park through the side that has an electric fence.
He said the service will also look into reports the lions are being pushed out by the road construction.
A lion wandered out of the Park on Friday but was later captured and taken back to a reserve that lies on the edge of the city.
Two strayed out of the park two weeks ago sparking panic among residents near Langata and the Southern bypass, and resulting in the creation of witty social media memes.
Inside Nairobi National Park, tourists enjoy views of lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife against a backdrop of high-rise buildings. (Source; TheStar.co.ke)
