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Kenya hunts for escaped Nairobi lions Kenya lion escape: Nairobi on alert
(about 2 hours later)
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is hunting for at least four lions which have escaped from Nairobi National Park bordering the capital, Nairobi. Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is on alert after several lions escaped from a nearby national park overnight and strayed into the city.
They escaped not long after midnight and were spotted on main roads in the city by morning. One lioness and her two cubs have been recaptured, and two other animals are believed to have gone back into the Nairobi National Park on their own accord.
Nairobi residents have been urged to stay away and report any further sightings to a free telephone line. But it is not clear whether more lions remain on the loose.
"Lions are dangerous wild animals. Don't confront them when you encounter them," KWS's Paul Udoto tweeted. Residents have been told to report any sightings to a free telephone line.
The BBC's Abdinoor Aden in Nairobi says the park is separated by a main road from densely populated neighbourhoods, including Kibera slum, in the south of the city. "Lions are dangerous wild animals. Don't confront them when you encounter them," Paul Udoto, spokesman for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) tweeted.
Wardens at the park told the BBC that helicopters are now being used to track and trace the escapees, thought to include three lions and a lioness. The park is separated by a main road from densely populated neighbourhoods, including Kibera slum, in the south of the city.
There has been confusion about exactly how many lions are on the loose with Mr Udoto, KSW's spokesman, saying reports of six lions were exaggerated. The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in Nairobi says some residents of Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa, are angry that the KWS is taking so long to hunt down the lions.
Two of the lions were spotted not far from the slum earlier in the morning.
There has been confusion about how many lions escaped and wildlife officials are currently verifying numbers inside the park, our reporter says.
It is estimated about 30 lions live there in an area spread over 17 sq km (45 sq miles).
'Keep children locked up''Keep children locked up'
Mr Udoto said he was concerned that people would try and tackle the lions themselves, as has happened in the past. KWS senior warden Nelly Palmeris said three lions were found in a housing complex at a military barracks near the park.
They had not wandered too far as the lioness was still nursing her two cubs, she said.
Mr Udoto said he was concerned that people would try to tackle the lions themselves, as has happened in the past.
In 2012, four cubs had to be placed in an orphanage after a similar incident led to their mother being killed.In 2012, four cubs had to be placed in an orphanage after a similar incident led to their mother being killed.
Answering a question on Twitter from a worried mother, Mr Udoto advised her to keep her children locked inside until the lions had been safely returned to the park, adding such incidents were the "perils of born town lions".Answering a question on Twitter from a worried mother, Mr Udoto advised her to keep her children locked inside until the lions had been safely returned to the park, adding such incidents were the "perils of born town lions".
It is estimated about 30 lions live in the park. Nairobi National Park is fenced in on the city side but is open elsewhere to allow for the annual wildlife migration.
Conservationists say a loss of habitat for lions in Kenya means they are increasingly coming into conflict with humans, putting their survival at risk.
The free number to call to report sightings is 0800597000.The free number to call to report sightings is 0800597000.