Residents of Ongata Rongai realized they had hosted a rather unique guest after a stray lion was found hidden between walls of some buildings on Wednesday.

The lioness was spotted around Tuskys area behind Great Wide Mall

Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) responded promptly to the location after members of the public alerted them of the animal. They dispatched a team of rangers and veterinary personnel to the scene.

With the help of Kenya Police officers, they dispersed curious onlookers who wanted to have a free view of the beast.

PHOTO/COURTESY

Read More

  1. Nairobi Women's Hospital Rongai branch patients, staff in limbo as hospital shuts
  2. KWS eyes enhanced wildlife economy earnings in ambitious five-year strategy
  3. How Kenya's endangered black rhinos are thriving via AI-powered surveillance

Little did they know that at the slightest agitation by noise or sudden movements, the animal would be agitated, and that may have resulted in a disaster.

Fortunately, no casualties have been reported in the highly volatile situation.

The KWS wardens neutralized the big cat before lifting him into their vehicle and transporting her away, presumably to its natural habitat, Nairobi National Park.

KWS identified the animal as a sub-male lion, not a fully grown one.

This is not the first time the area has hosted such a terrifying guest.

Instances of human/wildlife conflict have been reported in the area before.

One of the most recent instances ended tragically after a lion mauled a casual labourer named Simon Kipkurui in December 2019.

He was reported missing on December 6, 2019, only to be discovered dead on December 9, 2019, by his employer who found lions devouring his remains.