The Dangerous City Where Lions Replace Cats

According to Saednews, Residents of Ethiopia’s Ababo district in the Gambella region have filed numerous complaints with the government, reporting repeated lion attacks on their homes. According to locals, incidents involving lions hunting near villages around Gambella are increasing day by day.

Ethiopian wildlife authorities say they are making every effort to address attacks on livestock in farmland areas and are planning measures to keep lions away from people and their animals.

Officials previously attempted to deter lions by clearing nearby forests around areas where the animals congregate, but the effort did not succeed. Residents whose farms and livestock have been affected live about 30 kilometers from Gambella National Park, which hosts rare wildlife species.

Local residents from Blocks 11 and 12 in Ababo told the Ethiopian News Agency that lion incursions into residential areas have become more frequent than ever this year. According to reports, lions have killed 14 farm animals in April alone. People are urging the government and relevant authorities to investigate and resolve the situation, as the lions reportedly begin to pose a threat to humans after preying on livestock.

One resident, Adisu Berqa, whose livestock was attacked, said that the animals have expanded their hunting range from livestock to humans, calling on officials to urgently find a solution to what has become a serious threat to communities.

A wildlife conservation official from Gambella National Park said research is needed to understand why lions are moving toward villages and attacking them. He added that authorities are considering relocating the lions to a safer area.

Park management estimates that a group of around 500 lions lives near Gambella National Park, with their population reportedly increasing. Eyewitnesses say that up to five lions have recently been seen moving near residential areas, posing a serious danger to both people and livestock.

Gambella is located in western Ethiopia near the border with South Sudan and is known for its national parks and protected areas that host rare wildlife, as well as its unique geographical and ecological diversity.