Four Hospitalized After Attack By Wild Animals In Laikipia West

Four people are recuperating at the Nyahururu County Referral Hospital following an attack by wild animals on different days last week within Ol-Joro Orok and Laikipia West constituencies.

Among them is a ranger who was attacked by marauding hippos within Kanguo village in Ol-Joro Orok, while another was attacked by a stray elephant at Lorien village near Rumuruti forest in Laikipia West as he headed home.

A 12-year-old boy is nursing injuries he sustained when he was attacked by a buffalo while herding cows at Thome village in Rumuruti area of both in Laikipia West.

The other patient, John Kiago, was mauled by a hippo on Saturday night as he went outside his house to check why his dogs were barking when he came across the hippo a distance away from Lake Ol-Bolosat.

He raised an alarm to neighbours who came to his rescue, but in the process, a second man who is also a ranger identified as Titus Mbuthia was attacked.

The duo were rushed to Nyahururu County hospital where they are recuperating.

According to Wildlife conservationists led by George Nguri from Lake Ol-bolosat Conservancy and his colleague James Onguti, the escalating cases of human-wildlife conflict was being caused by prolonged drought that was forcing the animals to stray from their territories in search of pasture.

They have, however, cautioned residents in wildlife infested areas to be alert and cautious and ensure they do not come into contact with the animals as they were dangerous.

The attacks have caused wanton destruction to crops and injuries to some individuals

The conservationist added that the conflict has also led to the death of 17 hippopotamuses near Lake Ol-Bolosat in what is believed to be from retaliations from the local community.

Since January this year, at least 30 cases of hippo attacks have been reported from the area whereas there are others that have gone unreported.

Residents are calling on the government to intervene and address the cases of human-wildlife conflicts in an effort to avert such cases from occurring.