The tragedy occurred in the Hoanib Valley Camp, an exclusive reserve. Local authorities confirmed that the cat was located and sacrificed.
An entrepreneur German lost his life In the early hours of Sunday after being attacked For a lion while camping in an exclusive camp in Namibia. The victim, identified as Bernd Kebbel, 59, was attacked when she left her tent to go to the bathroom, local authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred in the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, a high -end accommodation located in a remote area of northwest Namibia, near Sesfontein, an arid and mountainous region where a small population of lions adapted to the desert lives.
Neshipanda Hamunyela, spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, reported that the attack was immediate and fatal. “The other campers tried to scare the animalbut it was too late, “he explained. For his part, police spokesman Elifas Kuwinga indicated that the authorities are investigating the incident and that an official report will be published soon.
Leon in Namibia.webp
Selwe
Who was Bernd Kebbel
Bernd Kebbel was a recognized entrepreneur in Namibia for having founded off-road center, A company specialized in equipment for Safari vehicles, and also for its commitment to causes for wildlife conservation. His death has caused consternation between tourist operators and environmental organizations, in a country that bets on ecotourism as one of its main sources of income.
The calls “Desert lions”, a unique and vulnerable subpopulationThey have seen their numbers decrease in recent years due to prolonged drought, the shortage of natural dams and growing conflicts with human communities. In 2023, it was estimated that the total population did not exceed 60 adults and a few puppies.
The tragedy revived the debate on safaris security
The tragic event reopened the debate about safety in luxury safari camps. Although most of these complexes apply strict protocols and warn visitors about the risks of moving at night, not all accommodations have bathrooms inside the tents, forcing guests to go outside even in areas frequented by predators.
This is not an isolated case. In April of this year, a 14 -year -old teenager died in Kenya after being attacked by a lion on a ranch near Nairobi National Park. Similar incidents have also been recorded in zoos: in September 2024, a caregiver was mortally attacked by a lion in the Zoo of the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library, in Nigeria, after not correctly securing the animal’s cage.
In January 2025, in Safari Altamira Park, in Tamaulipas, Mexico, another worker died in similar circumstances when he was attacked by a lion during cleaning work. In both cases, animals were sacrificed after attacks.
Source: Ambito
