Six lions from the same pride at Oleisukut Conservancy in Maasai Mara have survived a suspected poisoning incident after receiving emergency treatment from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The alarming case comes just two days after Kenya joined the rest of the world in marking World Tourism Day on September 27.
Swift Response Saves the Pride
In a statement on Monday morning, KWS revealed that the lions were spotted showing classic signs of poisoning, prompting wildlife veterinarians to rush to their aid.
“Our veterinary team responded swiftly, administering emergency treatment, stabilising the pride, and relocating them to safety. Thankfully, all six survived — four have fully recovered while two remain under close monitoring,” the agency confirmed.
Videos and photos seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed the lions appearing lethargic and drowsy in their natural habitat before treatment.
Cause of Poisoning Under Investigation
The exact cause of the poisoning has not been established. Investigations are ongoing, with KWS vowing to keep the pride under close observation while pursuing answers.
“We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our wildlife heritage for current and future generations,” the agency declared.
Recent Tourism Concerns
This latest scare follows another incident in August when tourists disrupted the wildebeest migration by leaving their safari vans to snap photos — scattering the animals back into the crocodile-infested Mara River.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano later downplayed the incident, noting it lasted less than a minute and that the tourists were quickly ushered back to their vehicles. She, however, announced that new measures would be enforced to prevent a repeat.
Protecting Kenya’s Wildlife
The Maasai Mara remains one of the world’s most famous reserves, drawing global attention during the annual migration and for its iconic lion prides. Conservationists have repeatedly warned that poisoning cases — often linked to human-wildlife conflict — pose a serious threat to Kenya’s biodiversity.
