By Frank Kamuntu
It is a sad day for wildlife lovers following the deaths of eight buffaloes in Nakuru County, Kenya.
The Kenya Wildlife Service indicated that the eight buffaloes died on the spot after coming into contact with high-voltage power lines lying on the ground.
Buffaloes, alongside the lion, rhino, elephant and leopard, form Kenya’s Big Five animals and are a top source of tourist attraction.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the state agency that manages Kenya’s wildlife for the Kenyan people and the world, confirmed the sad news in a statement.
Paul Jinaro, a media consultant at KWS, confirmed that electricity struck the eight buffaloes at Lake Nakuru National Park.
The buffaloes reportedly came into contact with high-voltage power lines lying on the ground at the national park.
“Eight buffaloes were electrocuted near the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) in Lake Nakuru National Park, killing them on the spot. The unfortunate incident occurred after the buffaloes got into contact with high-voltage power lines lying low on the ground,” read the statement.
KWS explained that the power lines were lying on the ground because the cross-arm bars carrying them had collapsed.
“Kenya Power Company officials who responded to the distress call indicated that the electrocution was prompted by a broken wooden cross-arm carrying 33 kV high voltage due to heavy rainfall in the area.
“To deter similar occurrences, the Kenya Power Company replaced the wooden cross-arms with metallic ones,” the KWS statement added.
It is not the first time electricity has struck and killed wild animals in Kenyan conservancies and parks in Nakuru.
The incidents have all been linked to fallen or low-hanging power cables.
In February 2021, KWS reported that two Rothschild giraffes were electrocuted in Soysambu Conservancy in Nakuru county.
The giraffes’ deaths were attributed to short electricity poles that saw the tall animals come into contact with high-voltage power cables.
In 2019, 10 buffaloes died from what was found to be an outbreak of anthrax. KWS urgently addressed the concern after conducting laboratory tests.
𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐑𝐔 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) deeply regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday, 9th April 2024 in Lake Nakuru National Park. Following a… pic.twitter.com/IttdgMxYI1— Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) April 13, 2024
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