Lion mauls Grade 7 girl near Nairobi National Park as elephant kills herder in Nyeri
The harrowing attack was witnessed by another teenager who immediately raised the alarm, prompting swift action from KWS rangers and emergency response teams.
What began as an ordinary evening for a Nairobi family ended in heartbreak when a lion strayed from Nairobi National Park and fatally attacked a 14-year-old girl in her home compound.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed that the tragic incident occurred on Saturday evening at Savannah Ranch, a residential area situated on the southern border adjacent to the park.
At around 7 pm, KWS said it received reports that a lion had entered a residential compound within Savannah Ranch, which lies opposite Nairobi National Park across the Mbagathi River, and attacked the girl, who was a Grade 7 pupil at a local primary school.
According to the Service, the harrowing attack was witnessed by another teenager who immediately raised the alarm, prompting swift action from KWS rangers and emergency response teams.
“KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilised and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl’s body was recovered with injuries on the lower back,” KWS said in a statement.
“The lion was not sighted at the scene.”
They noted that officers from Olosirgon Police Station later processed the scene that night.
The girl’s body has since been moved to Nairobi Funeral Home by KWS officers, who were accompanied by her father.
KWS said it has deployed teams to comb the area in search of the lion and has also set a trap, assuring the public that immediate efforts are underway to reinforce security measures and prevent further incidents.
Jumbo attack
In a separate case reported in Nyeri County, a 54-year-old man died following an elephant attack in Mere Forest, Kimahuri Sub-location, Kabaru Location, Kieni East Sub-county.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday at around 4 pm while the man was grazing his livestock in the forest. KWS said he sustained serious chest injuries, fractured ribs and internal trauma.
According to the Service, he was rushed to Karatina Sub-county Hospital for treatment, but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
The case was reported at Kimahuri Police Post, and officers from the Nyeri Station, Mt. Kenya team (Ngode outpost), and Kimahuri Police visited the scene to document the incident.
KWS has extended its condolences to the bereaved families and reiterated its commitment to enhancing the safety of people living near protected wildlife areas.
“These incidents underscore the urgent need for continued investment in human-wildlife conflict mitigation through strategic interventions, early warning systems and strengthened collaboration with affected communities,” KWS said.
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