A Junior Secondary School student from Mweromuthanga Primary School in Muthara Ward, Meru County, is currently recuperating from severe injuries sustained during a cheetah attack while on his way to school.
According to local residents, the boy raised an alarm on Friday morning as he bravely defended himself against the animal’s assault. Despite his efforts, the encounter proved to be daunting, and the cheetah vanished into dense vegetation upon the arrival of nearby villagers.
Area Senior Chief John K Mamira bore witness to the incident, affirming its occurrence and cautioning residents, particularly schoolchildren, to remain vigilant against potential encounters with dangerous wildlife, especially during nighttime travels.
This incident underscores a broader concern among locals regarding the prevalence of dangerous wild animals in the region. Numerous complaints have been lodged with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) regarding frequent attacks on domestic animals, with this unfortunate incident being just one in a series of encounters.
Sadly, such attacks are not uncommon in the area, with reports of fatalities occurring annually. Last month, for instance, herds of elephants wreaked havoc on farms mere kilometers away from the site of Friday’s attack, resulting in the loss of a 30-year-old man’s life and substantial damage to crops valued in the millions.
Similarly, incidents involving hyenas attacking herders in the lower areas of Muthara were reported last year, resulting in injuries to three individuals who required medical treatment.
The injured pupil has since been transported to Muthara Sub-County Hospital in Meru County for medical attention, as the community grapples with the aftermath of yet another wildlife-related incident.
