Images circulating in Kenya’s social media space alleged that lions had been spotted at the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, Kenya.
Building on what has happened often in Kenya’s capital thanks to the proximity of the city centre to the Nairobi National Park, the images circulated wildly even being picked up by sections of the press.
Background
In one of the most recent worst recorded instances involving stray lions from the park, a pride of the wild animals is reported to have eaten a man in Rongai, on the outskirts of the city. As a result, citizen vigilance tends to increase any time such reports and claims are made which explains the public’s reaction to the reports.
Verification
Using image verification tools, we are able to establish that the pictures shared online were taken at Port Pipavav in the Indian state of Gujarat.
These pictures from #pipavaport,#Rajula, #Gujarat showcase an impending human-animal conflict dangerous for both the #lions & the workers at the port. Lion population in revenue areas of #Gir should be tracked & monitored! @ParveenKaswan @susantananda3 https://t.co/2tazHSJMmi pic.twitter.com/3DxCdqskXO
— Dhanraj Nathwani (@DhanrajNathwani) February 12, 2020
The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), which oversees the parks in the country as well as the animals, has refuted the same claims stating in a statement to the public.
“We have noted the online circulation of false reports and pictures of lioness and cubs sighted at the Inland Container Depot (ICDC) near Nairobi National Park. We have since established that the pictures and report were in India and not in,” reads a statement from KWS.
Verdict
There was no stray lion or two cubs spotted in Nairobi.
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