Six Lions Lost to Poison in One Day—Why Immediate Action Matters

2026 opened with heartbreak in the Amboseli ecosystem. On 5 January, six lions were lost in one devastating poisoning incident inside Kitenden Conservancy, a place meant to connect wildlife, people, and landscapes, not bury them in silence. In a single day, an entire pride was wiped out, sending shockwaves through conservation teams and communities alike.

Two days later, on 7 January, our team received an urgent call from International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) scouts about a dead lion sighted near the Kenya–Tanzania border, on the Kenyan side. As with all such reports, the team moved immediately, initially hoping the death was natural. But that hope quickly faded.

The adult male lion showed no signs of injury, no evidence of fighting, and no indication of starvation. Something was wrong. The team secured the area and expanded their search. What they found next was devastating beyond words. Nearby lay five more lions, two adult females and three large cubs. Scattered across the scene were more than 30 dead vultures. There was no longer any doubt. This was poisoning. And it did not stop with lions alone. An entire chain of life had been affected; predators, scavengers, and the balance they help maintain. Our team immediately reported the incident to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). 

Officers were deployed to secure the scene, collect samples for laboratory testing, and prevent further exposure to people, livestock, and wildlife. Investigations were launched, but the damage had already been done. This tragedy unfolded in one of the most delicate landscapes in the Amboseli ecosystem. Kitenden Conservancy lies in Kenya, yet it serves as a vital grazing and movement corridor for pastoralist communities and wildlife from both Kenya and Tanzania. During prolonged droughts, pressure on land intensifies. Livestock move farther, wildlife follow the same paths, and encounters with lions become more frequent. When support is slow or absent, fear and loss can quickly turn into retaliation.

The death of six lions in a single day is not just a conservation loss. It is the collapse of a pride, the erasure of years of conservation efforts, and a blow to a species already fighting for survival. Poisoning remains one of the most dangerous threats to lions today; fast, silent, and indiscriminate. It kills not only the intended target but everything that feeds afterward, leaving long-lasting scars on the ecosystem. If we do not act quickly and decisively, this will not be the last incident. Communities need rapid response when livestock is threatened, and consistent engagement that builds trust before crises occur. Conservation teams need the resources to respond at all hours, monitor high-risk areas, investigate incidents thoroughly, and strengthen collaboration across borders.

This moment calls for urgency, compassion, and partnership. The loss of these lions reminds us that coexistence is fragile, but with timely support and collective action, it is still possible.

To learn about how Lion Guardians is saving lions from poisoning, read our blog about our Anti-Poisoning Awareness Campaign.