Stray Lion Injures Three People, Kills Three Cattle

[Fred Gunner]

Mzuzu — A stay lion believed to have escaped from Lwangwa Game Reserve in Zambia is reported to have attacked and seriously injured three people of Kasisi Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mwaulambia in Chitipa District.

The three people were first taken to Chitipa District Hospital before being referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment as in-patients.

Chitipa Police Public Relations Officer, Gladwell Simwaka confirmed about the incident. He said that police got initial information about the lion last Sunday and that it was seen loitering in the areas of Senior Chief Kameme and TA Mwaulambia in the district.

"It is true that three people have been critically wounded and are currently admitted to Mzuzu Central Hospital," Simwaka said adding that the beast also killed three cattle in the process.

According to a press release issued by Chitipa Police Station Public Relations Office on July 19, 2018, the lion has also been spotted at Malukwa and Sopelera, Kasisi, Ilomba and Lwakwa in the area of Mwaulambia.

The police have since advised the general public in the district against moving around during the night until the situation is normalized.

"This animal is very dangerous; people should avoid embarking in night errands," reads part of the press release signed by Public Relations Officer for Chitipa Police Station.

Currently, police and game rangers are hunting for the lion.

http://www.manaonline.gov.mw/index....es-three-people-kills-three-cattle-in-chitipa

 

[Fred Gunner]

Kenya: Stray Lions Kill 5 Cows in Chawia, Taita Taveta

Residents of Chawia ward in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County have called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to drive out stray lions that have so far killed five cows.

Led by Chawia ward representative Justine Juma, the residents said their lives are in danger after an unknown number of lions strayed from Tsavo National Park.

The residents have accused KWS of failing to take quick measures to capture the lions that have been terrorising residents in Chawia, Ngerenyi and Lushangonyi villages.

They said KWS officers have only put traps deep inside Chawia forest.

"We told them to search for the lions which we heard roaring in the forest, but instead they fired at a distance. We keep losing our livestock every night," said Mr Juma.

Mr Gasper Mwaludindi, a Lushangonyi resident who lost a cow valued at Sh40 000.

Ngerenyi assistant chief Festo Nyangala said villagers are paralysed by fear.

Mr Nyangala said they had spotted the lion's footprints and warned the locals to remain vigilant.

"I have asked my village elders to tell people to be careful. We don't know where these animals are hiding so we must warn our people about the impending danger," he said.

The residents say schoolgoing children are now forced to report late and go home early, with several parents escorting their young ones to school.

KWS is yet again on the spot for failing to address increased incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the area.

A few weeks ago a pride of lions invaded Mwaktau village in Mwatate Sub County, killing over 200 cows, goats and donkeys.

Tsavo Assistant Director George Osuri said officers were camping near the villages to locate the lions and eventually capture them.

He said they were yet to establish the number of the lions on the loose.

"We are really trying our best. We promise residents that we will soon be able to get the lions," he said.

 

[Fred Gunner]

Kenya: 4 Lions Translocated After Killing Horses in Laikipia:

Nanyuki — Four lions have been translocated from Solio Ranch in Laikipia to the Meru National Park after killing two horses and injuring another at the Mt Kenya Holiday Homes farm.

The stray lions have also been predating on livestock at Tigithi area and Kiamathaga ward for the past one month amounting to huge losses and terrorizing the community.

The operation to sedate the lions using a helicopter was led by Kenya Wildlife service Veterinary officer Dominic Mijele and the Community Warden at Mt Kenya National Park, Gilbert Njeru.

Njeru stated that the lions were also fitted with tracking devices to ensure they are monitored.

In addition, he said that the loss caused by the lions amounts to more than Sh1.5 million and those affected will be compensated by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

Tigithi ward MCA Mutahi Muritu who was also present during the exercise applauded the move by KWS saying the lions were a threat to the community and have been attacking livestock in the area.

He also called on the government to ensure those affected are paid on time and address the issue of human-wildlife conflict especially in Laikipia County.

 

[leslie hetrick]

that sure would stop you from pissing of your porch at night.

 

[Fred Gunner]

that sure would stop you from pissing of your porch at night.

Three stories of rogue Lions in one week all over Africa. News that you’ll never see in the western press. Why?…Because the anti-hunting save the lions crowd don’t want any of their donor$ to know the truth of what life is like living with wild lions.

 

[Fred Gunner]

Erongo's lions still a concern: "“If the law cannot protect us, then the people have the right to protect themselves.”

NO one knows where the four 'problem' lions relocated from Kunene to the Erongo mountains last November are.
The lions were relocated by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism after they were said to be responsible for killing hundreds of small livestock in Kunene's communal areas.

The Erongo Mountain Rhino Sanctuary Trust welcomed the lions with open arms, believing it was a safe haven for the cats to enjoy a protective ecosystem while also attracting tourists. Besides, there are also many other animals, and therefore there is a need for an 'alpha predator' to control the numbers.

The sanctuary then had an arrangement with the ministry that while it provided a safe haven for the lions, it would “not take responsibility”.

The ministry took advantage of the offer as there was “zero tolerance” for the problem lions after wreaking havoc in Kunene.

During an urgent meeting held at Omaruru two weeks ago between senior officials from the environment ministry and concerned community members, as well as representatives of the sanctuary, The Namibian learned that the lions have apparently not been found yet, and no one knows where they are.

There is speculation that the lions may have wandered back to Kunene, but even this was a concern as there have been reports of predator attacks on livestock in nearby conservancies earlier this year, until about April.

These attacks were, however, ascribed to other predators, such as leopards or hyenas. Even the sanctuary patrons are not sure where the lions are.

https://www.namibian.com.na/69799/read/Erongos-lions-still-a-concern

 

[spike.t]

Mzuzu — A stay lion believed to have escaped from Lwangwa Game Reserve in Zambia is.....

As they wander in and out of either north luangwa or south luangwa Nat parks saying it escaped is ridiculous

 

[leslie hetrick]

what means do the natives have to protect their children and other people and their live stock ? sounds like none or very little, I guess the government wants then to hole up until they get around to rounding up the lions. I,m glad I live where I have the means to stop any dangerous two legged or four legged threats I may come in contact with.

 

[leslie hetrick]

these are for the two legged predators.

 

[spike.t]

@leslie hetrick sorry but I find your comment about the government rounding up the lions naive.....as I have said they wander in and out of the luangwa national parks ....there is a chance they will walk through your hunting camp in GMA's surrounding the parks and through some of the photo lodges as well.......its what being in the wilder parts of Africa is like and how it always has been..... .

 

[leslie hetrick]

I,m not naïve and have seen wild lions two times in Africa, and I was glad I had a rifle(how many of the natives have rifles?) its the government who says they need to trap-catch and relocate them. BUT THEY ADMITT THEY DON,T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, even with tracking collars on them. living close to large predators is a fact of life for the natives living there and must be taken into account, but to not have the means to protect them selfs right now is criminal in my mind with the time it takes for the government to act. I,m sure many people have been taken over the years by the large predators and never reported in the bush. it looks like the government puts more value on the wildlife(predators) than the people affected by them.

 

[PeteG]

just a clarification,

Lions can not escape from the luangwa game reserve. The can however wander into and out of North Luangwa National Park or South Luangwa National Park.

It does not state anywhere that the lions are collared.

The area in question is also over (approx) 300km away from the northern tip of North Luangwa NP, with substantial human interference between North Park and Northern Malawi where Chitipa District and Mzuzu hospital are located. Very unlikely that a single stray lion decided to walk that far considering the location it is reportedly coming from.


Regarding the locals defending themselves...

No permanent residents are allowed to live in the National Parks as a means of reducing human wildlife conflict as well as wildlife safety. Every border of North Park has a number of substantially large Game Management Area’s to allow hunting and multiple land use programs.
IF and I repeat IF a local decides to take residence in a GMA to farm or due to his home village location, they are well aware of the risks of wildlife conflict.
This is why the government tries to minimize land use in GMA’s.

Any local resident is allowed a firearm. You cannot carry a firearm in a GMA unless in possession of a permit, exception to wildlife officers of course.
If all residents were allowed to protect themselves against wildlife without question, there would be almost no wildlife left in those areas.

There are enough illegal firearms in the hands of rural settlers to poach elephant populations to disturbingly low levels, not to mention the rhino and numerous other species that used to be abundant in the valley.

The first report needs fact checking.

 

[leslie hetrick]

please read post # 3 (Njeru says tracking devises were on lions), please tell me how a native in the bush could afford one as I know what firearms cost there and the hassle to get one. I don,t think protecting ones self from a large predators would lead to the wholesale killing of non dangerous animals. poaching is different than self defence. and what do you define as a illegal fire arm? any not owned by a white man.

 

[PeteG]

Post no 3 that you quote clearly states how the lions were dealt with.
Post no 1 which I was referring to stated no such collaring.
Allowing villagers means to eliminate wildlife will lead to massive numbers of deaths. You may not think so, which is your right, but you would be wrong.
An illegal firearm would be unregistered, homemade or of military caliber deemed unacceptable by gov for civilian ownership . Don’t bring the race card into it, it has nothing to do with the legal / illegal firearm question.

 

[leslie hetrick]

I,ll bet dollars to donuts more whites own many many more legal-illegal fire arms than blacks in Africa, due to major proverty and harsh regulations put on the owner ship requirments for firearms. I have never seen a black man in any gun shop i was in any where in Africa buying ammo- scopes-guns, prove me wrong with picture of real black african buyer in a gun shop(not staged) and I have only seen one black African with a fire arm in five trips to Africa and that was a old .22 bolt action single shot for shooting baboons in cage traps and he only had 10 shells as I looked at the rifle and the shells he had in a little bag. here,s what a lady had to chase baboons out of the orange groves and it was a joke as they just ran around her. your country, your rules. here thoses rules would not fly, and its not that we don,t have poachers here, for we do. but we don,t stop people from protecting them selfs from dangerous animals, bears-cats-snakes by owning firearms, even military calibers and semi-auto,s even with full auto,s with federal licenses(felons not allowed to own firearms). I love Africa, but I could not live their due to some of your laws.

 

[Fred Gunner]

@leslie hetrick sorry but I find your comment about the government rounding up the lions naive.....as I have said they wander in and out of the luangwa national parks ....there is a chance they will walk through your hunting camp in GMA's surrounding the parks and through some of the photo lodges as well.......its what being in the wilder parts of Africa is like and how it always has been..... .

Yes Please that's just exactly what I want to happen when I hunt next year!

 

[leslie hetrick]

and as a hunter you will have a firearm handy in case you need it and if you need it, it will be right now. I had a lepord sitting on the pad in front of my tent in Botswana and i didn,t shoot it, but I had a rifle and enjoyed watching it until it slipped off in the coming dawn.

 

[PeteG]

I,ll bet dollars to donuts more whites own many many more legal-illegal fire arms than blacks in Africa, due to major proverty and harsh regulations put on the owner ship requirments for firearms. I have never seen a black man in any gun shop i was in any where in Africa buying ammo- scopes-guns, prove me wrong with picture of real black african buyer in a gun shop(not staged) and I have only seen one black African with a fire arm in five trips to Africa and that was a old .22 bolt action single shot for shooting baboons in cage traps and he only had 10 shells as I looked at the rifle and the shells he had in a little bag. here,s what a lady had to chase baboons out of the orange groves and it was a joke as they just ran around her. your country, your rules. here thoses rules would not fly, and its not that we don,t have poachers here, for we do. but we don,t stop people from protecting them selfs from dangerous animals, bears-cats-snakes by owning firearms, even military calibers and semi-auto,s even with full auto,s with federal licenses(felons not allowed to own firearms). I love Africa, but I could not live their due to some of your laws.

View attachment 240315

I’m in for a million donuts...

Unfortunately you’re speaking of your opinion and not facts.
Recemtly I posted a pic in one of the antipoaching threads of our recoveries for this year alone of the ILLEGAL firearms. This is only in one small corner of Zambia’s protected lands. Factor in the other 100+ protected wildlife areas, gov and private, and you will see what I mean about illegal firearms.
I’m not certain why you keep throwing in the white-black card. It has f-all to do with what I am trying to explain.

For clarity, I hope, none of the elephant poaching teams are caught with legally licensed , to themselves, firearms. So yes it is entirely possible for Africans with illegal firearms to decimate a population.
You may not like the facts but these are some of them.

 

[PeteG]

and as a hunter you will have a firearm handy in case you need it and if you need it, it will be right now. I had a lepord sitting on the pad in front of my tent in Botswana and i didn,t shoot it, but I had a rifle and enjoyed watching it until it slipped off in the coming dawn.

View attachment 240320 View attachment 240321 View attachment 240322

And yet you’re calling to allow anyone else with a firearm to be allowed to shoot it if they want to...

 

[leslie hetrick]

no I,m not, i didn,t feel threatened at all, but if it decided to find me eatable I had the means to stop it. yes I believe poaching can decimate animals, but I,m not talking about poachers. I,m talking about regular people trying to make a living raising animals having the need to protect their property and maybe lives from loss with legal firearms that are very hard for them to own. owning a firearm does not make you a poacher, if it did most of us could be described as poachers. and the black and white thing is to show that its easier for most whites to get and own a firearm than a black person in africa. most of my friends in Africa own firearms for protection and hunting and have walls with electical wires around their homes and in gated communities. when I ask one of my african friends who we brought here to visit, what surprised her most she said she could see the front door on most of the houses. no wires or walls.