Parkeru Ntereka lost almost half of his goat herd to hungry lions that wandered into his enclosure near Kenya’s iconic Amboseli National Park.
The loss of the 56-year-old made headlines in the East African country because it led to the stabbing of six lions in retaliation by the Maasai, who’ve coexisted with wild animals for centuries.
The killings have highlighted the growing conflict between man and wildlife in parts of East Africa, which environmentalists say has been exacerbated by years of drought.
At the identical time, the population of predators inside the parks has increased. Hunger and thirst can send them to the community.
Ntereka said the loss of the 12 goats was a huge loss to his large family.
“I’ll sell these cattle to pay for tuition. I do not know tips on how to pay for some of my kid’s highschool tuition,” said the daddy of eight.
The Big Life Foundation, which runs conservation programs in the world, offers compensation to shepherds who lose their livestock to predators.
Nevertheless, the compensation doesn’t correspond to the market rate for cows, goats and sheep.
Herder Joel Kirimbu said the compensation must be on the market rate.
![A male lion named](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Kenya_Lions_Killed_49751-6a881.jpg?w=1024)
“Cows are expensive and may cost as much as $577 each. You possibly can’t compare 80,000 shillings to 30,000 shillings. We receive little or no compensation. So we get offended and despite receiving compensation, we exit and kill the lions,” he told The Associated Press.
Rosi Lekimankusi, a mother of five, said 13 of her goats were killed by lions in the identical village of Mbirikani in Kajiado County, just 93 miles from the capital, Nairobi.
“It’s a big loss for us because my husband and I don’t have any other job,” she told The Associated Press, standing in front of the goat.
Her biggest concern is that such lion attacks will turn out to be much more common in her Maasai village, which borders the Amboseli National Park.
The Big Life Foundation, which has been running the compensation program for 20 years, said it couldn’t afford to pay the market price, but asserted that the quantity was to not be underestimated because it no less than expresses solidarity with the shepherds for their loss.
“It could be a bit simply to be certain that your anger subsides, but it surely’s higher than nothing,” said Daniel Ole Sambu, who coordinates the muse’s predator conservation program.
He said the muse also gives the community scholarships for local children and support for medical facilities.
The conflict between man and wildlife often makes headlines in Kenya, where tourism plays a vital role in the economy.
Last month, one of Kenya’s oldest lions, Loonkiito, was stabbed to death as he left Amboseli National Park in search of food.
![Several llamas and alpacas have been found dead.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jam_Press_JMP325381.jpg?w=1024)
The Kenya Wildlife Service said it was working on everlasting solutions that will resolve the conflict while protecting each people and wildlife.
Nterka, a shepherd who has lost almost half of his goats, lives in fear of one other lion attack.
“For the reason that starting of time, we now have believed that if a lion invades your property and eats your cows, it’s going to return even after 10 years. He’ll always remember that your property was once a source of food,” he said.