Incidents of wild animals straying into human habitats have been on the rise in recent days with one in Kajiado’s Nazarene area in Ongata Rongai ending in a lioness making away with a pet dog from a compound.
Days later, a hippo charged at parked motorcycles in Gilgil and destroyed one bike as crowds watched from a distance before beating a hasty retreat to the bushes.
The Kenya Wildlife Service reports that the latest incident occurred in the Isinya area of Kajiado county where a lone Buffalo ‘paid a visit’ to a village in the area.
“In an unexpected turn of events, residents near Nkiito Primary School in Isinya got quite the surprise when a lone buffalo decided to pay a visit to their neighbourhood,” the Service said on X.
“But fear not! The KWS Kajiado PAC team, along with the KWS veterinary unit quickly responded. They safely and skillfully captured the buffalo and relocated it to Nairobi National Park, where it can roam freely once more in its natural habitat.”
KWS advised Kenyans to reach out through their emergency contacts should they wildlife stray into their neighbourhood.
“We are one call away! To report any wildlife incidences, reach out via our 24-7 Toll free line 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp 0726 610 509 for immediate intervention."
In a recent interview with the BBC, the family in Ongata Rongai said they are still shocked after their pet dog, a Rottweiler named Jaci, was snatched by a lioness.
The big cat scaled a perimeter wall and jumped inside the compound on Pasha Drive before emerging moments later clutching Jaci in her jaws.
The incident was caught on CCTV on the night of May 22 and the footage circulated on social media.
Joshua Isigi, a worker at the compound, said he heard some noise only to turn and see the big cat inside the compound.
“I picked a machete and scrapped it against some iron sheets to scare her off,” he said.
Dog owner Sylvia Wamai said lions are common within the area due to its proximity to the Nairobi National Park but it is uncommon for them to see lions entering homes.
She said Jaci left behind a twin, Laser, who had been with the family for two years.
“It’s hard giving one love and remembering that the other was taken and it was not something like a normal death,” she said.
KWS spokesman Paul Jinaro said in a statement it was suspected that the lionees may have had cubs hidden in a different location but was not living within the vicinity.
"KWS is reassuring the area residents that the HWC team is still patrolling the locality, with backup from the more seasoned Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU)," he said on May 22.
