Ten lions found dead in suspected poisoning in Tanzania wildlife reserve

Ten lions were found dead in Tanzania's Ngorongoro wildlife reserve on Friday, with preliminary findings suggesting they may have been poisoned, the area's management authority said.

Poisoning has been a recurring threat to large carnivores across parts of East Africa, often due to conflicts between the predators and livestock owners.

The lions were discovered in the Ndutu area of Endulen Ward in Arusha region, the Ngorongoro ‌Conservation Area Authority said in a statement released late on Saturday.

"Preliminary findings suggest the ‌animals may have died after ingesting poison," the authority said, adding that it had launched an investigation to determine the cause and identify those responsible.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Tanzania, is one of the country's leading tourism attractions.

It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes and endangered black rhinos.

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In early January, Lion Guardians, an organisation based in Kenya which works to protect the predator, said six lions were lost in a poisoning incident near the Kenya-Tanzania border.

In that instance, the presence of 30 dead vultures also pointed towards poison as the likely cause of death.

Last month, police arrested four suspects in an investigation into the deaths of 18 elephants across the border in Kenya.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ten lions found dead in suspected poisoning in Tanzania wildlife reserve