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In 1898, a pair of lions repeatedly raided the tents of an encampment in Kenya, killing at least 28 people. The infamous "Tsavo man-eaters” were eventually shot and their remains put on display at the Field Museum Of Natural History in Chicago, and now a new genomic study has revealed the grim story their teeth have to tell...

They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet. The results showed that their “man-eater” status was well earned, as human DNA was detected along with that of giraffes, oryx, waterbucks, wildebeest, and zebra.

Their man-eater ways were infamous, but the fact that wildebeest was on the menu was quite a surprise. Why? Because wildebeest would not have been local.

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Originally posted by BaxterB:
Neat stuff. Don't think Akeley did these though - they are no where near his talent.

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

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Originally posted by fulvio:

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

If DNA findings are being quoted, then hypothetically speaking these can relate to the family tree of these two Lions which could have (likely) resided in the Mara Region of Kenya.

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Originally posted by Jerry Huffaker:
They were made into rugs first and then later mounted at the field museum, I'm pretty sure Ackeley didn't mount them.

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Originally posted by fulvio:

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

If DNA findings are being quoted, then hypothetically speaking these can relate to the family tree of these two Lions which could have (likely) resided in the Mara Region of Kenya.

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Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

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Originally posted by fulvio:

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

If DNA findings are being quoted, then hypothetically speaking these can relate to the family tree of these two Lions which could have (likely) resided in the Mara Region of Kenya.

There are or at least were wildebeest in the Amboseli/Chyulu Hills area which abuts the railroad. (My memory from 50+ years ago) Doubt the lions would have had to migrate from the Mara.

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Originally posted by AilsaWheels:
Agree with those saying Ackeley didn't mount the lions. It is my understanding the lions were rugs for a number of years before being mounted. They aren't worth a trip to the Field Museum. Ackeley's work in the American Museum of Natural History is amazing. Especially considering the period. Well worth the visit.

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Originally posted by crbutler:
Interesting, but as said, not surprising that they ate wildebeest.

Also, game migration patterns could well change. Wasn’t there a massive outbreak of rinderpest that really changed game populations about that time frame- as I recall, T Roosevelt’s safari had a bit of issues finding some types of animals relating to that. That was, IIRC, relatively shortly before the whole rail project that the Tsavo lions terrorized.

Lions are fundamentally lazy cats. A bunch of easy pickings humans around (the mortuary practice was to haul workers who died into the bush) until they became habituated would explain their good health but still choosing to eat people.

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Originally posted by Black Lechwe:
If one considers how little hair humans have, the result seems all the more remarkable

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Originally posted by crbutler:
All mammalian skin has hair for the most part. It may be rather fine, but it’s there.

I’m impressed that over 100 years and multiple taxidermy procedures they still can extract that DNA and identify it.

There cannot be much caught in tooth cracks.

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Originally posted by Jefffive:

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Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

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Originally posted by fulvio:

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

If DNA findings are being quoted, then hypothetically speaking these can relate to the family tree of these two Lions which could have (likely) resided in the Mara Region of Kenya.

There are or at least were wildebeest in the Amboseli/Chyulu Hills area which abuts the railroad. (My memory from 50+ years ago) Doubt the lions would have had to migrate from the Mara.

To me the variety of game represented argues that they ate humans by choice rather than out of need.

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Originally posted by KMG Hunting Safaris:

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Originally posted by Jefffive:

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Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

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Originally posted by fulvio:

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They then extracted DNA from individual hair shafts, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was enough to paint a picture of the species that were a part of their diet.

If DNA findings are being quoted, then hypothetically speaking these can relate to the family tree of these two Lions which could have (likely) resided in the Mara Region of Kenya.

There are or at least were wildebeest in the Amboseli/Chyulu Hills area which abuts the railroad. (My memory from 50+ years ago) Doubt the lions would have had to migrate from the Mara.

To me the variety of game represented argues that they ate humans by choice rather than out of need.

Easier prey? Compared to Wildebeest, Zebra etc humans are sitting ducks.

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dumping the bodies of those who die of injuries or illness in the brush is an ideal way to teach lions that people, while salty, are fairly tasty as long as water is available.

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Originally posted by crbutler:
The density of corpses would be very different.

Not very many folks die per day in a low density village.

The number of essentially slave laborers working in unfamiliar conditions would be several a day.

Hyena only get so much…

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Originally posted by lavaca:
That's less than one a day.

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Originally posted by lavaca:
That's less than one a day.