The Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo are infamous for their role in one of the most unusual and terrifying wildlife encounters in history. Between March and December 1898, the construction of the Uganda Railway through Tsavo, Kenya, was threatened by the relentless attacks of two large male lions. They killed and carried off at least 32 railway workers, with some reports suggesting the number could be as high as 135.
A woman, who managed the tannery for many years, is commemorated by a nearby tombstone, marking her connection to this unique chapter of the camp’s past. The remnants of the tannery’s tanks still stand, offering a glimpse into the area’s industrial history.
“For months they came, silently, relentlessly, dragging their victims into the dark of the night”
John Henry Patterson
The Tsavo lions seemed to have developed a disturbing predilection for humans. Why? Scientists theorize that their main food source, buffalo, were wiped out from a human introduced disease called Rinderpest, also known as “cattle plague”, which arrived when the English imported cattle from India. With their favorite prey eradicated, the lions set their sights on much easier targets; humans. The lions’ behavior baffled the workers, who were paralyzed with fear, and numerous attempts to kill them using traps and rifles failed.
The lions’ skins and skulls were eventually sold to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, where they were mounted and displayed.
The lions’ trophies were a symbol of victory over a strange, deadly force, but they also marked the beginning of a broader conversation about human-wildlife conflict. Over the years, researchers have proposed several theories about why these lions turned to man-eating, including prey scarcity due to drought, disease among local wildlife, and even dental issues that made hunting their usual prey more difficult. Regarded as the definitive review of the Man-eaters incident (and man-eating in general),
“The Science of ‘man-eating’ Among Lions Panthera Leo”, addresses the nuances of this case in detail.
John Henry Patterson
Today, the legacy of the Tsavo lions lives on, not only in this museum but in the folklore of Kenya and beyond. Their story continues to spark debates about the delicate balance between humans and nature, and the unpredictable ways animals adapt to their environment.
3 Comments
This is exactly what i was looking for, thank you so much for these tutorials
It would be great to try this theme for my businesses
What a nice article. It keeps me reading more and more!