RIP Sir

Sad the Lion was poisoned. As frequently happens nowadays.

With his close interest in local wildlife somewhere in the back of his mind he would have known he was taking a risk popping out at night in a wilderness area, even if only intending the briefest time. A smart guy, I guess he calculated "nah, won't happen to me". Sadly, just one of those moments that fate has other plans.
Wonder what went through his mind when he suddenly realise a lion had him by the neck ? For his sake I hope his end was quick.
A sad story indeed. RIP.

Carry a weapon of some sort. Even John Taylor carried a revolver in addition to a double rifle.
While a pistol is prohibited in most African countries, a 45 Colt DA is useful. Even bear spray is better than nothing.

Certainly sad. But again, Lions will be Lions. They don't care about your race, creed, or whether you are a philanthropist trying to save them.

How many of us have strayed from the campfire to take a leak?

As the old saying goes “shit happens”

When your number is up, not much you can do about it.

Back in the old days, they used to build a huge campfire at night and surround the entire camp with a thick thorn boma.

For good reason.

RIP, Mr. Kebbel.

Although it is rare today that lions hunt humans it is likely good to remember we will always be somewhere on the menu.

When George Adamson was the Game Ranger in the NFD he loved lions but part of his job was dealing with man eaters. In order to be sure he was shooting the right lion he used himself as bait. He used to sit beside a fire all night. Normal lions saw the fire as a sign of human presence and stayed away. Man eaters came to dinner and when George saw the firelight reflected in the approaching eyes he fired. Anyone fancy a go?

Pity that handguns are not allowed in many african states.. John Taylor claimed that a .455 Webley saved him when a leopard leaped down at him from a tree.. He yanked the revolver from the holster and shot the cat..

A .357 mag. with hollow points should be about right these days..

In this particular instance I don't think a handgun would have been any use. I doubt if any firearms would have been allowed in the reserve anyway. Imagine the scenario. You are in bed in Namibia, probably not wearing much if anything, you need a pee. Do you strap on a holster before climbing down the steps? It is dark, you don't want the other campers to see what you are doing so you turn off your light. Your hands are busy down below when the lioness jumps from behind. Her front legs are wrapped around your chest as you fall to the ground with her teeth in your neck. Even if you have a holstered gun how do you think you can get it out and shoot the cat off your back?
A leopard, in daylight, yes it is possible if it is on your front. David Allen, Bunny's son, shot one off his upper arm with a .357.
A lioness in the dark? Shit happens!

Well, you do stand a chance with a sidearm..otherwise you are guaranteed dead..

I have two comments,

Clay, why do you say it's rare these days? It's just not publicized. Bad for tourism you see, especially the greenie photo tourists, although it doesn't happen much in the parks where they visit sitting in their vans taking pictures of inbred lions laying on the side of the road. It still happens and some areas seem to be prone to it. Like along the Rifigi.

My second comment is while a sidearm would be welcome, better than nothing, a .357 is definitely too light for the task of dealing with a lion. Frankly, any handgun is in my opinion, but I'd like my odds with my .454 Cassul or at least a .44 magnum a little better. But unlike a leopard, once a lion gets to you, it's likely one bite and over.

Of course one must be armed, first and foremost.

Attacking lions have been killed with nothing but knives.

quote:

Originally posted by Pondoro:
Pity that handguns are not allowed in many african states.. John Taylor claimed that a .455 Webley saved him when a leopard leaped down at him from a tree.. He yanked the revolver from the holster and shot the cat..

A .357 mag. with hollow points should be about right these days..

Taylor also related the episodes of how he killed a lion and a hyena that on separate occasions were marauding around his camp in the dead of night. He entered an old dry pig pen with his trusty 455 Webley army revolver and shot through the pen sides guessing the position of the animals as they passed by outside. Nailed them both through the shoulders.
Yes he did recommended a handgun be available around camp with solids to shoot an animal off while it chewed an arm or leg.

I knew of one PH who always carried a .50 Cal. S&W (an upgrade from .44 Mag) which was rarely used other than the occasional coup de grace on an animal or targeting paper plates in camp.

The day of reckoning however came in the form of a full blown wounded Lion charge where this cannon would've excelled but the gun never left its holster as his hands were too busy fending off the Lion whose irate disposition after copious helpings of claws and teeth, was eventually put to rest by a third party.

He later confessed that a handgun, impressive as it may look on John Wayne or Clint Eastwood, is not always as efficient as one might think, adding he may have stood a better chance had he faced the charge with the revolver instead of the rifle.

One of our own, Von Gruff, built me a great replica of Harry Wolhuter's knife he used to kill a lion in 1903. The blade is an exact duplicate, but I didn't want the plain hardwood handle, so Von Gruff did a great job with a bone handle with buffalo horn bolsters. Prettier, but I could see how it could do the job. It's a very pretty knife, Von Gruff does good work.

Having the right equipment is fine!

Getting an opportunity to use it is another matter!

We followed a lion early one morning we caught up with him several times, but no opportunity for a shot.

Then we saw him lying under a bush about 12 steps away!

He was facing us, and we could see the top of his head looking at us.

We were behind another bush, but the distance between was clear.

He kept his eyes on us while we tried to move to the side for a clear shot.

We did, and now it was wait and see!

I whispered to Alan I could shoot him in the head, he suggest I wait until he got up.

Scope on minimum magnification, 2.5 on this instance, safety off and finger on the trigger.

Because if he decides to come for us, only chance is for one shot, and it better be good!

Eventually he decided to get up, and turn left to go back away from us.

Perfect angle for a shot.

He carried on his forward turning movement, and dropped on the other side of the bush.

Probably took 5 steps before he died!

We were glad for the anti climax results!