Editor: Olipha Wairimu | Kenya
MOHAWK
THE LION
Nairobi National park prides itself as the
only National park within the city’s capital in the world. It plays host to a
number of wildlife which include: buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, baboon, zebra,
wildebeest, cheetah and 400 migratory and endemic bird species.
The park has been the home of the late
13-year-old male lion known as Mohawk. His name was as a result of the shape of
his mane, and he was a tourist favourite in the park. He was one of Kenya’s most famous big cats and
this was a pride to every wildlife enthusiast.
Over the past years, Mohawk and the other
lions were a great attraction at the park bearing in mind they were all found
at their natural habitats unlike the other lions which are found in the caged
segment at the park.
However, Mohawk’s tremendous life was cut
shot after being shot by Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers (KWS), citing that they
were out of tranquilizers as an excuse. Events that led to Mohawk being shot,
he had escaped from the park and was sighted at Isinya which at least 58
kilometres away from the park, and the exact spot Mohawk was spotted was about
7 kilometres from the Isinya-Kiserian road.
The lion due to the rowdiness by the on
looking bystanders became agitated and hence attacked the crowd injuring one of
them who sustained a few bruises and lacerations on his back.
However, Kenyans and the world in general
were not happy with this action by the body that is given the mandate to secure
our wildlife as there are other non-lethal ways of capturing a wild animal.
Many questions have been raised regarding
this issue as to why they could not have used tranquilizers, darts, or dart
guns to capture Mohawk.
KWS has however come in defence of its
rangers saying that it was a last option for them to take down Mohawk before he
could have caused more damage hence averting injuries or death to members of
the public if the situation escalated.
The fight for justice for Mohawk however is
not over and we as tourism and environment enthusiasts will rest when the
rangers that took down Mohawk have faced the law and necessary action taken
against them.
Engage on twitter via #JusticeForMohawk to make sure that not only Mohawk gets
justice but any other wildlife that gets to pass on under the hands of the same
people that we entrust our wildlife on.
By Olipha Wairimu | Kenya | Tambula Africa
Read More
2000 People have signed the petition
http://ow.ly/10ktXO
Rangers Killed One Of Kenya's Most Famous Lions Because They Were Out Of Tranquilizers
World News | Kevin Sieff, The Washington Post | Thursday March 31, 2016
http://ow.ly/10kukV 
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