The Horrific Story of Maneless Lions that Killed Humans in Tsavo

It’s more than 100 years but the story of the man-eaters of Tsavo continues to capture imaginations. The gruesome tale unfolded in 1898 when two maneless male lions routinely killed dozens of railway workers in Tsavo, Kenya then known as British East Africa.

The attacks were done during the night as the workers slept in their tents. They continued from March through to December despite the traps and other preventive measures being put in place. Many workers lost their lives and others fled the site which halted the building process.

Although the exact number of people killed by the lions is unclear, Rayall, a 26-year-old British soldier was the last victim. He was one of the three men who offered to kill the dreaded lions. His tragic ending is written on the plaque on one of the wagons in Kenya’s railway museum yard.

“Rayall positioned himself on his bunk by the open window, gun in hand. Unfortunately, he fell asleep. The lion padded in softly through the open door, grabbed him by his throat, and dragged him out of the carriage through the window. His companions were petrified and no one fired a shot. The lions disappeared into the darkness (with Ryall).”

Tactical shot that stopped the man-eaters of Tsavo

Lt. Col John Patterson, a British engineer who supervised the construction of the railway bridge across the Tsavo River eventually tasked himself to end this menace. He used himself as bait and managed to shoot and kill the man-eating lions after repeated unsuccessful attempts.

He published a book about it in 1907 called The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, which was later adapted into several movies. The latest one was The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) which followed the wishes of President Theodore Roosevelt who thought history was very important.

Peterson sold the lions’ remains (Skin and skull) to the Chicago Field Museum in 1924 for $5,000. The museum reconstructed the two big cats and put them on display in 1928. They have remained one of the popular exhibits, attracting millions of visitors every year.

Possible explanation for this phenomenon

The man-eaters of Tsavo targeting humans remain a unique case. According to various studies, lions can resort to this behavior when faced with difficult conditions. Perhaps all the buffalo and other cattle in Tsavo had been wiped out by a plague forcing the lions to find alternative food sources.

Poorly buried corpses as a result of diseases, injury, or hunger may have made the lions develop a taste for humans. Slave caravans to the Indian Ocean and Zanzibar routinely crossed the river at that point of attack.

Lions can also go after easier prey if they are weakened by an injury, illness, or old age. A study conducted in 2017 on the remains of the lions found that one of them had an infection at the root of one of his canines. This might have made him unable to hunt in the wild.

What we know about Tsavo lions

Lions are among the big 5 game animals found in Kenya’s Tsavo East and West National Parks. These cats live in prides, with up to 10 or more females and just one or two males. Their sturdy bodies and strong jaws make them fearsome predators who prey on small to medium-sized mammals.

While the striking mane continues to be an iconic feature of African male lions, Tsavo is a habitat of a rare phenomenon. According to the Tsavo Trust, it’s common for male lions in the Tsavo Conservation Area not to develop full manes, with some having none at all.

This isn’t the result of losing a mane due to stress or injury, but rather an evolutionary adaptation that makes them suit their environment. Tsavo is a thorny landscape characterized by high temperatures. It’s likely a mane would trap heat or hinder these lions from hunting thus the evolutionary shift.

Studies have also shown that lions in Tsavo have a distinctive social structure, where prides are led by a single male for unknown reasons. In other regional ecosystems such as Serengeti-mara, pride is ruled by coalitions of two or three male lions working together. 

Repatriation of the lions

The Kenyan Government has been demanding the return of these lions so that they can be displayed in the local museum to help earn revenue that can be helpful to the needy Tsavo residents who are also regularly experiencing human-wildlife conflict.

The Return the  Man-eater of Tsavo Foundation is also pushing for the repatriation of the cats to their home. The organization was launched when American politician Shane Jett led a team of visitors to lay a wreath on Ryall’s grave in the War Memorial Cemetary in Nairobi Kenya.

Mr Jett insisted on the need for the return of the lions as Kenyan children need to preserve them as their heritage. He explained that Ryall was a dedicated young man who offered himself for the sake of opening up East Africa by rail; unfortunately, he tragically died in the course of his duty.

How to stay safe in lion habitats

Man-eating lions are not uncommon and it’s important to mind your safety when in the habits with Africa’s biggest cats. Lions are apex predators not to be messed with. Here are tips to keep you safe from lions during a safari.

• Strictly follow the park rules and all the safety protocols.
• Stay in the car and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Have an experienced guide familiar with the region you are touring.
• Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and has secure doors and windows.
• Watch lions from a safe distance perhaps using binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.
• When you unknowingly encounter a lion, stand tall, wave your arms, and make loud noises. If possible, slowly retreat while maintaining eye contact.
• Do not provoke wildlife by getting too close, or making sudden movements.

Final thought

The story of the Tsavo Man-Eaters is a captivating blend of adventure and unprecedented horror. Lions targeting humans as prey is astonishing. Colonel John Henry Patterson using himself as bait to kill the man-eating lions was an act of bravery that saved lives.

Repatriation of the reconstructed remains of the man-eater lions is something that deserves attention and action. Taking the cats back to their home will help uplift the lives of the human-wildlife victims and also secure the national heritage for future generations.