Kenyans Angered by KWS for Implanting Contraceptives on Lionesses

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is under fire from Kenyans online over its decision to stop lionesses from giving birth.

On Thursday, the wildlife agency announced it had implanted contraceptives in a lioness at Lewa Conservancy to stop her from conceiving, hence “maintain a healthy food chain balance.”

“The lion reigns supreme on the Food Chain. To maintain this balance, Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinarian Dr. M. Mutinda, deployed a hormonal contraceptive implant (prevents conception for a year) in an immobilized 5-year-old lioness at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy,” KWS said through its official Twitter handle.

It added: “Six lionesses will be implanted to reduce the predation of endangered species.”

But Kenyans on social media disapproved the move, telling KWS to find alternative means of balancing the food chain.

A report released in 2019 indicated that the numbers of lions in the country had dwindled worryingly over the past decade. KWS estimates that there are about 2,000 lions in the country.

Here are some of the reactions;

@Lovemjulubeng said: “Predation can lead to decline of herbivores I get it and less has boundaries…but why not create sanctuary for the ungulates you worry about being preyed on or move lions.”

@Evanswesonga posed: “Wrong decision. Why not relocate and distribute the population across various national parks?”

@HassanBasmer1 tweeted: “This is wrong lions are few now in Kenya. They should have sent them to Boni Forest where other animals in their food chain are soo many. In Boni Forest they are thriving.”

@PatelDaku said: “Seriously!! This will be time lost that you will never recover. Just relocate them. If necessary, relocate a whole pride. Many places in Kenya they can easily flourish.”

@AlwalaAggrey tweeted: “I thought being in the wild we allow nature to take it's course?,if there is an endangered species there are many ways to save, like relocating them to where preys are few or at an enclosed area or ranch for it to recover and multiply.”