A 59-year-old businessman was mauled to death by a lioness early Friday after he stepped out of the safety of his tent to use the toilet.
Bernd Kebbel was on a wildlife expedition in Namibia with his wife and friends when he climbed down a ladder from his rooftop tent mounted on top of a 4x4 in the early hours of the day.
The wealthy man was immediately attacked by a lioness, which mauled his neck, killing him instantly.
Kebbel’s screams woke up the camp, and the lioness was chased off the man before it could devour him.
“Thankfully, it would have been quick, as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime,” a lion expert said.
“There are only about 60 desert lions in this region of Kunane where the attack happened, and in this particular area around the Hoanib Camp, maybe a dozen at the very most.”
“The desert lions have adapted to the harsh and burning desert environment and have become extremely adept night-time hunters as there is no cover for them during the day.”
The late businessman spent large sums of money supporting lions in Namibia. The country’s most famous lion expert, Dr. Philip Stander, even named an adult lion Kebbel to recognize the man’s efforts.
