The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has come under scrutiny over the deaths of more than six hippos in Lake Naivasha over the past two weeks.
Residents and beach operators are demanding a speedy investigation, saying the unexplained deaths have left carcasses floating in the lake and raised serious concerns.
They fear the decomposing animals could threaten fishermen, tourists and other wildlife that depend on the lake, while also damaging businesses around the shoreline.“The carcasses are a tourist attraction on our beach. They bring us a lot of trouble because a lot of tourists come to Kenya and pay a lot of money to come and see the hippos, which we don't have anywhere else,” stated one resident.
Suspicion has fallen on possible poisoning after residents reported that some of the dead hippos had no visible injuries on their bodies.
Members of the Kamere Beach Management Unit said the absence of wounds had raised fears that poison may have been involved.
However, the cause of death has not been established, and residents are calling for proper tests to determine what happened to the animals.
The concern comes as Lake Naivasha is surrounded by large commercial flower farms and horticultural businesses that grow crops for local and export markets.