14-year-old girl killed by lion in national park after being snatched from ranch
A 14-year-old girl has tragically lost her life after she was snatched and killed by a lion at a ranch in Kenya.
The teenager was exploring the south of Nairobi National Park in Kenya on Saturday (April 19) when she was taken from a residential compound on a ranch, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The Nairobi National Park is home to animals such as lions, buffalos, giraffes, leopards and crocodiles, the KWS's website says.
It is an extremely popular tourist attraction, considering it sits just six miles away from the city centre.
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The BBC reports that while the park is fenced on three sides to prevent the wildlife heading into Nairobi city, it is open to the south to allow the animals to roam freely.
After the girl was snatched by a lion, another teenager, who'd witnessed the incident, raised the alarm to seek the help of authorities, the agency further stated in their statement.
KWS rangers and response teams were 'swiftly mobilized' and 'traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back'.
The lion was 'not sighted at the scene', however, KWS has set up traps and have search teams on hand to try and find the predator.
Lions do often come into contact with humans in Kenya, the BBC reports, but it's rare for the animal to attack and kill humans.
KWS say extra security measures have been put in place to ensure a similar tragedy does not occur in the future.
A separate incident also took place on Friday (April 18), which saw a 54-year-old man killed by an elephant after he was grazing livestock at a forest in Nyeri County.
KWS said the man was declared dead in hospital after he sustained fractured ribs, chest injuries and internal trauma.
"KWS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and continues to work closely with local law enforcement and communities to enhance the safety of people living near protected wildlife areas," the agency added.
And as per CNN, the conservation agency said that both attacks suggest the importance of 'continued investment in human-wildlife conflict mitigation – through strategic interventions, early warning systems, and strengthened collaboration with affected communities'.
Meanwhile, Paula Kahumbu, who is head of the WildlifeDirect conservation group, has urged the KWS to improve 'risk assessments and ensure accurate, real-time communication of wildlife movement and behavior, especially in known high-risk areas such as Savannah Ranch' where the 14-year-old was killed, according to the BBC.
She further added that lodges, camps and other residential areas should be 'equipped with anti-predator deterrent systems - including lights, alarms, secure fencing, and anti-predator sprays'.
Callum Jones