Ten lions have been found dead inside Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with wildlife officials suspecting poisoning as the cause.
The animals were discovered on Friday in the reserve, which is home to pastoral tribal communities that raise cattle and is one of Tanzania's most visited tourist destinations.
"Preliminary findings suggest the animals may have died after ingesting poison," the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority said in a statement. The authority added that it has launched a full investigation "to determine the cause of the incident and identify those responsible."
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the Ngorongoro Crater. It is home to the Big Five game animals: the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino.
The deaths raise broader concerns about wildlife poisonings across East Africa. In neighboring Kenya, 18 elephants died over the summer from suspected poisoning. Police have arrested four people in connection with that case.
According to Kenya's Wildlife Service, preliminary tests indicated the elephants may have ingested cyanide. Tomato farmers in the Amboseli region are known to use banned pesticides on their crops, though growers deny using cyanide.
Tanzania is home to Africa's largest lion population, representing approximately half of the world's wild lions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists lions as a vulnerable population. They face ongoing threats from shrinking habitat and poaching.
