- Kenyan wildlife authorities have begun moving thousands of zebras and wildebeest across the country to feed lions in the areas devastated by drought.
Officials said they have decided to move the animals to Amboseli National Park, where many herbivores have died and starving lions and hyenas have begun to attack cattle in the surrounding villages.
“The animals will be hauled from four locations to restock Amboseli National Park's population, which lost 80 percent of its herbivores in a recent drought,” said Kentice Tikolo, spokeswoman for the Kenya Wildlife Service.
According to local reports, the imbalance has sparked a row with villagers who lost animals in the drought and have threatened to kill lions and hyenas preying on the remaining livestock.
"There are only 2,000 lions left nationwide, and we are concerned because the numbers are dropping," the spokeswoman said.
About 4,000 zebras and 3,000 wildebeest will be transferred to Amboseli. The zebras will go first. The wildebeest will follow, after calving season, according to the official. Once at Amboseli, they're expected to breed and sustain the lions over the long term.
In recent months, officials have expressed concern over the rapidly decreasing lion herd in Kenta.
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