Three lionesses and their eight cubs have been found dead in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, the BBC reports.
The lions are suspected to have been fed poisoned meat, the Uganda Wildlife Authority said.
The reason is unclear, and an investigation has been launched.
The carcasses were discovered on Wednesday near a fishing village, a spokesperson told the BBC.
They did not seem to have any physical injuries.
Wildlife and Tourism Minister Ephraim Kamuntu will travel to the park later today to find out more about the incident.
The lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park numbers around 100.
Uganda’s wildlife parks are one of the country’s most important sources of revenue, and the government is trying to boost tourism.
The country celebrated Wildlife Day last month, with a renewed commitment to protecting the big cats.
