Man vs. Animal.

Human kind and animals have always been at odds we see some as a source of food and are deathly afraid of others and the animals feel the same way. Yet there are times like early last month when man summons his bravery to protect both himself and all he considers to be valuable, thus leading to a standoff.

 Usually the animal in this case the lion finds his way out of danger by standing his ground and by his mere presence scaring the often defenceless human with the threat of becoming the others lunch but this time the lion’s innate instincts failed him and when he followed his inborn need to feed led them right into the angry spears of those in the Oloika area homestead in Kitengela. There the two lions and four cubs met their death after the humans awoke to find that the kings of the jungle had stealthily strolled in and consumed their most prized possession: their livestock. It seemed that this time the big cats 9^th life was spent and that they had crossed a line in the sand.

 As the population continues to grow and living space becomes scarce man found themselves moving closer to their fears and the wild and although there is a fence between man and animal the animal can and do wander out in search of food. Where man sets a trap the animal wise as always skips over and moves on.

The lions- who have live in the area that is the Nairobi National Park for decades-cannot be expected to pack up and move elsewhere  as they have used this route in and out of the park during migration are finding themselves and the space they consider their own increasingly invaded by the two legged creature.

In watching this story on TV and in newspapers I felt for both sides, both were trying to do the same thing protect/feed themselves and those around them. Man cannot be blamed for his instinctual actions and nor can the lion be blamed for doing only what comes naturally as it is we who have encroached on this powerful creatures hunting ground and home. I do blame the KWS however for not taking stronger precautions of ensuring without any doubt whatsoever that the lions can’t squeeze out of the fence or that there are gaps in it, there must be an opening through which the lions can leave to migrate but does it have to be so close to the humans? Also the wildlife service did not respond to mans call with the alacrity that they should have...

The fact remains though that 6 lions are dead-a large part of what attracts tourists to the country is the big 5 and if the lions continue to die because of their instinct we will soon have precious little to boast to the world about. Lions are not mans only victims as an elephant was more recently poached for his beautiful ivory tasks which humans illegally sells to make a profit.

Man and wild animals will forever be at odds and on those fateful days when animals and humans come to a standoff the animal no matter how large and mighty or frightful will always lose out, for the safety and protection of both man and beast and the survival of our biggest cash cow, we the humans must find a way to keep them far away from our instinctual spears but we cannot stop the express train that is modernisation we may see ourselves and our wild counterparts forever fighting a losing battle.