FROM THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER IN KARATU
The deaths of 10 lions in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area have sparked concern among conservationists as authorities investigate suspected poisoning.
The lions were found dead on September 18 and 19 after members of a pride of about 33 lions reportedly fed on animal carcasses in the area.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) officials said samples from the dead lions, as well as giraffe, hyena and donkey carcasses, have been sent to the Government Chief Chemist’s Laboratory to establish the exact cause of death.
Authorities have cautioned against concluding that the lions were poisoned until laboratory investigations are completed.
One lion found in critical condition after vomiting and producing excessive saliva was treated by wildlife veterinarians while 12 other members of the pride have since been located alive and in good condition.
NCAA has also intensified patrols in Ndutu to establish whether other wildlife has been affected.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Conservation and Heritage Initiatives (TCHI) has described the incident as a serious blow to wildlife conservation and called for a thorough investigation.
The organisation urged authorities to strengthen measures against retaliatory wildlife poisoning and the illegal use of agrochemicals, while promoting better coexistence between wildlife and communities living around protected areas.
TCHI has also called for the findings of the investigation to be made public and for anyone found responsible to face legal action.
