NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A Kenyan wildlife official says thousands of herbivores are being transported to a southern park to serve as food sources for starving lions at the site.
Kenya Wildlife Service spokeswoman Kentice Tikolo said the wildebeest and zebras being relocated to Amboseli National Park from four different locations are in response to dramatic declines in the park's herbivore population due to drought conditions, CNN said Thursday.
The recent drought resulted in an 80 percent decline in the park's herbivore population, leading hungry lions to begin feeding on livestock belonging to area residents.
Tikolo said affected residents have threatened to kill those lions targeting their livestock.
"There are only 2,000 lions left nationwide, and we are concerned because the numbers are dropping," she added. "Maasais are getting angry and threatening to spear them -- the human versus wildlife conflict is getting out of hand -- and our carnivores are already greatly endangered."
CNN said nearly 4,000 zebras will be initially shipped to the southern park, followed by shipments of 3,000 wildebeest following calving season.
