Stray lion killed in southern Tanzania

Authorities in southern Tanzania have shot and killed one of the four lions strayed from the Selous Game Reserve, one of the world's largest faunal reserves.

Poroleti Mgema, Acting Songea District Commissioner confirmed on Saturday that the killed lion is one of the four strayed from their natural habitats.

He said that in separate incidents between February 21 and 27, this year, the strayed lions have killed 22 cattle.

"We have dispatched wildlife officers and rangers into the affected village to try chase the remaining predators into their sanctuaries for people's safety," the official said, noting: "If these predators are left unattended they will also pose a serious threat to human beings as lions in this parts of Tanzania are unfriendly to people."

Mgema said the lion was shot by wildlife officials from Madaba District Council and those from the anti-poaching unit in the southern zone after the public raised alarm when the predator was spotted roaming in the area.

Igalusenga is one of the highly affected villages in the area.

Reports from the Igalusenga village said that since February 21, this year people in the area have been living in fear after four lions stormed their areas.

Method Mwenda, a resident of Igalusenga village said on February 21, they discovered that 17 cattle were killed.

Philibert Mlelwa also said that on February 27, three cows were killed by the strayed lions.

Tanzania is believed to have the highest number of lions in Africa. Endit