Ten lions found dead in Tanzania, poisoning suspected

Ten lions have been found dead in a protected wildlife area in northern Tanzania. Authorities suspect the animals may have been poisoned.

The lions were discovered on Friday in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of Tanzania’s most important wildlife regions. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority said early findings suggest that the lions may have eaten poison.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to many wild animals, including lions, elephants and endangered black rhinos. Maasai communities also live in and around the area with their livestock.

This can sometimes lead to conflict between people and wild animals. Lions may attack cattle or other farm animals, which can create problems for local communities. Authorities have not said whether such a conflict played a role in the deaths of these ten lions.

Lions are already under growing pressure across Africa. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, lists lions as vulnerable. Their population is declining because of habitat loss, fewer wild prey animals and conflict with humans.

Poisoning is especially dangerous because it can kill more than the animal that first eats the poison. Other animals, including vultures and other scavengers, can also die after feeding on a poisoned body.