Ten Lions Dead In Tanzania's Ngorongoro Reserve, Poisoning Suspected

Ten lions have been found dead inside Tanzania's Ngorongoro wildlife reserve, and early indications point to poisoning, according to the authority that runs the area.

Where The Carcasses Were Found

The animals were found on September 18 in the Ndutu area of Endulen Ward, in the Arusha region. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority set out the details in a statement issued late Saturday.

“Preliminary findings suggest the animals may have died after ingesting poison,” the authority said, noting that an investigation is underway to establish what killed them and to track down whoever was responsible.

A Recurring Threat To East Africa's Carnivores

Losing ten lions at once sharpens worries about how the species is faring in one of the continent's best-known wildlife systems. Poisoning has dogged big predators across much of East Africa for years, and it is frequently traced back to friction between carnivores and the people who keep livestock nearby.

What The Reserve Holds

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of the country, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area ranks among Tanzania's biggest tourism draws. Its wildlife includes lions, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinos, the last of which remain endangered.

A Wider Pattern Across The Border

The case follows a similar one in Kenya, where police last month detained four people as part of an inquiry into the deaths of 18 elephants.