Nakuru residents are now living in fear following reports of intensified human-wildlife conflicts after a leopard was spotted in the area moving freely and targeting dogs at night.
According to CCTV footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the leopard could be seen attacking and mauling a dog in Nakuru’s Pipeline Estate before breaking away after walking into the neighborhood.
The residents told the media that the leopard must have moved from the Nakuru National Park, further revealing how they are exposed to the imminent dangers from the animals in the park.
‘’We are bordering the game park and that is where the leopard must have come from,’’ revealed Wathomi Wamoni, a resident.
KWS officers securing a leopard in a cage. Photo KWS
After the sighting, the residents asked the Kenya Wildlife Service(KWS) officers to take immediate action to help track the animal back into the wild.
‘’I want to say that we could have got help to keep off the leopard as we have children, sheep and other livestock that are at risk,’’ Margarete Njoka, a resident, told the media.
Njoka, also added that they were particularly concerned about their safety, even from criminals revealing that the wild cat had a specific taste for their dogs which provided them security at night.
‘’I don’t know, it is as if the leopard is addicted to dog meat because it has eaten most of the dogs around here,’’ she added.
The residents also blamed the KWS officers for failing to respond on time to help keep the cat away despite their efforts, adding that there have been little response efforts from the officers.
‘’We lost a Belgian breed dog and reported the matter after which they gave us traps to catch the leopard, but that has not bore any fruits,’’ Francis Mbugua narrated.
The incident comes at a time when the government announced the beginning of a phase two national wildlife census that has started at the Lake Nakuru National Park and Bird Sanctuary.
The animal count, according to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, will help inform on replanning of conservation projects to help step up efforts to deal with climate change and human-induced threats.
The government plans to conduct aerial surveys, a move that will provide data on resources in the game and in the waters around Nakuru.
This comes in the wake of increasing cases of wildlife breaking away from the game and causing casualties and injuries to the people, with reports indicating that the hyena menace in areas like Juja has not been contained.
A file image of Lake Nakuru
File
