A conversation group known as Friends of Nairobi National Park has expressed concerns after tourists breached security guidelines to take selfies closer to a pride of lions.
In a video circulated on Saturday, August 12, the tourists got too close to the wild animals to the point that they triggered the lions to react.
Upon realising that the lions were agitated, the tourists walked back to their Landcruiser Prado with diplomatic number plates.
The conservation activists criticised the tourists arguing that they acted in ignorance and placed themselves and the animals at risk since the lions are apex predators that can be unpredictable, even when they seem docile.
"Let's be fair. Let's be mindful. We have never seen this kind of ignorance in Nairobi National Park," Friends of Nairobi National Park, dedicated to assisting the KWS to preserve the biodiversity of Nairobi National Park, warned.
In addition to putting themselves at risk of being injured or mauled, the tourists were condemned for disrupting the natural behaviour of the lions which retreated before assessing their prey.
Disruption of their natural conditions can lead to a negative impact on the animals' health and well-being, prompting them to constantly harass other visitors in future.
The Friends of Nairobi National Park called on tourists to respect the park's rules and regulations and to keep a safe distance from wild animals.
It also asked visitors to be aware of the dangers of taking selfies with wild animals.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, also warned tourists against taking inappropriate selfies with wild animals or disrupting their natural habitats.
The conservationists revealed that Kenya is listed among the top 20 countries with inappropriate wildlife selfies.
Some park visitors were said to be taking pictures while hugging or holding wild animals.
