Nine lions found dead in Serengeti

Serengeti. At least nine lions have been found dead in a suspected poisoning case at Nyichoka in Serengeti District, Mara Region.

A veterinary doctor from the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri), Mr Justine Shamanche, has confirmed the incident. He said the lions were found dead on May 31.

“Although we have not proved through professional tests, we have suspicions that these lions have died because of human activities after cattle meat leftovers were found at the scene and which are thought to have been used as bait, “ said Shamanche.

Speaking to The Citizen at the scene, the head of the Investigation Department in Serengeti District, Mr Alfred Kyebe said a thorough investigation was already underway to establish the cause of the deaths of the lions.

This continues a series of lion killings in the peripheral areas of the Serengeti National Park. In 2015, seven lions were killed in similar circumstances and in 2017 three lions were shot dead in the same area.