Residents of Lichota in Suna West Sub County have expressed their gratitude to Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) for successfully capturing a troublesome hyena that had been a source of considerable distress.
The wild animal had been preying on local livestock, including cattle, goats, and sheep, causing significant concern among the community.
In response to repeated complaints from residents about the hyena’s presence and the damage it was inflicting, KWS set a trap in the Lichota area in July.
Stephen Kaunda, a local resident, shared that the hyena had disrupted their lives, leading to sleepless nights as they were forced to keep constant watch over their flocks.
The capture of the hyena has been especially welcomed by the community as schools are about to reopen for the third term.
Kaunda emphasized the safety concerns for children who travel early in the morning, stating,
“With the hyena roaming around, it would have been dangerous for our young ones heading to school.”
In addition to the immediate relief provided by KWS’s intervention, Migori County has announced plans to construct a fence around the Lichota forest.
This initiative aims to prevent future encroachments by wild animals into residential areas and further safeguard the community from similar issues.
The county has allocated a budget for this project, underscoring its commitment to addressing the wildlife conflict effectively.
