Nairobi, Kenya – April 20, 2025 — A 14-year-old girl has been tragically killed by a lion on the outskirts of Nairobi, in an incident that has reignited concerns about wildlife-human conflict in Kenya. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed that the fatal attack occurred near a residential compound on a ranch adjacent to Nairobi National Park, one of Africa’s few protected areas located within a major urban environment.
According to the KWS, the girl, a primary school student, was reportedly snatched by the lion during the early morning hours, prompting an immediate search. Another teenager raised the alarm, and KWS rangers quickly responded, tracking the predator’s footprints to the Mbagathi River, where they discovered the girl’s remains.
As of Monday, the lion responsible for the attack remains at large. The KWS has confirmed that they have set traps and deployed dedicated search teams to locate and capture the animal.
“We are doing everything possible to locate the lion and prevent any additional harm,” the agency said in a statement. “We have intensified patrols and set up additional security measures around human settlements bordering the park.”
The KWS emphasized that enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems have been deployed in areas considered high-risk for wildlife encroachment.
Nairobi National Park, located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Nairobi’s city center, is a unique ecosystem that houses lions, giraffes, buffalos, cheetahs, and leopards, among other species. While it is fenced on three sides to prevent animals from straying into human settlements, the park remains open to the south to facilitate natural wildlife migration—a necessity for maintaining ecological balance.
However, this southern openness also leaves nearby communities vulnerable to wildlife attacks, especially when animals stray into ranches and residential areas in search of food or territory.
Though livestock losses due to predators are relatively common in Kenya, fatal attacks on humans are rare. Nonetheless, such incidents are becoming more frequent as urban development encroaches on animal habitats.
Dr. Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect, a leading conservation organization, expressed concern over the incident and stressed the need for enhanced safety protocols in areas bordering wildlife habitats.
“These deaths are not isolated cases,” she said. “We urgently need improved risk assessments, real-time wildlife tracking, and public alerts, particularly in high-risk zones like Savannah Ranch, where this tragedy occurred.”
She also urged that lodges, residential estates, and community developments near wildlife zones be outfitted with anti-predator deterrent systems, such as motion-activated lights, alarms, reinforced fencing, and non-lethal repellent sprays.
“Prevention is our first and best line of defense,” she emphasized.
Just hours before the lion attack, KWS also reported a separate fatal encounter with an elephant in Nyeri County, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Nairobi. A 54-year-old man was fatally injured while the elephant was grazing in Mere Forest.
The victim sustained multiple fractures, internal trauma, and severe chest injuries after the animal charged. He was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
KWS is investigating both incidents and reassessing security measures in known wildlife corridors across the country.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the balance between conservation and human safety, these tragic events underscore the urgency of implementing proactive wildlife management strategies. While Nairobi National Park remains a national treasure and a beacon of conservation, authorities face increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions that protect both wildlife and local communities.
