They are perhaps the world’s most notorious wild lions, more than 100 years ago these man-eating lions created terror in the Tsavo region of Kenya.
The story begins amidst the backdrop of the ambitious construction of a railroad bridge over the Tsavo River, in the vast and rugged Tsavo region of Kenya. The project aimed to connect Uganda with the Indian Ocean at Kilindini Harbour, marking a pivotal moment in the expansion of the British Empire in Africa. The workers, who were mostly Indian laborers brought in by the British to build the railway.
The project was led by Lt. Col. John H. Patterson, a British officer, and engineer who arrived in March 1898, soon after Patterson arrived in Tsavo inexplicable terror gripped the camp as the first workers began to disappear. Their remains were later found in the surrounding scrub.
The culprits were two maneless male lions who went mostly unseen and were named Ghost and Darkness. They continued to terrorize and consumed the workers who were defenseless against them. They would often strike in the dead of night, and despite the worker’s attempts to ward them off with campfires and thorn fences, the attacks continued to the point where they were happening every night.
Both lions were shot and killed in December 1898 by Patterson, who shot one lion, then killed the second lion 20 days late, and their skulls are now on display at the Field Museum in Chicago.
While Patterson claimed that the man-eaters had claimed the lives of 135 victims, historical records dispute this figure. The Ugandan Railway reported 28 confirmed deaths among the workers, this number excludes the countless Africans to which no official record was kept.
More than a hundred years after the story, using chemical analysis of the lions’ hides, the Field Museum suggested the more accurate number to be 35 people eaten, 11 by one lion and 24 by the other.
The story has captured the imagination of many and has been retold in numerous books, movies, and documentaries. Such as The Ghost and the Darkness is a 1996 American historical adventure film directed by Stephen Hopkins and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas.
Maneless Lions
There have been various reasons why the male lions from this region have short manes, which is typical of the lions in Tsavo, especially those in the dry areas. It’s thought to be triggered by the environment, when lions overheat in the hot weather the only easy way to cool down involves water (sweating or panting) this becomes impractical when water is in short supply Their long mane, covering their neck and shoulders acts like a blanket requiring them to drink more water.
Research Patterson, B. D. 2012. The man-eating lions of Tsavo and the science behind the killings. Open Skies Apr 2012: 84-93. pdf (2.4 Mb)
Visiting Tsavo
Situated in southwest of Kenya, it is the biggest, and yet most underdeveloped national park. Tsavo is wild, uncrowded, and famous for its red-dusted elephants. Former President Barack Obama marveled at Tsavo, describing it as a “wilderness of boundless space, breathtaking beauty, and wildlife on an epic scale.”
Visiting Tsavo National Park can easily be combined with Amboseli and beaches of Kenya allowing yourself to indulge in the best of both worlds.
Don’t Just Dream It... Live It!
King Salama Safaris expert team is here to ensure that you experience the best of Kenya and Tanzania . We have traveled extensively throughout the country to design the most unique and exciting itineraries for our guests. We are here to listen and craft the perfect trip for you and your family using local expert guides, high-rated eco-lodges, and top-notch service. From the minute you book with us until we say goodbye to you at the airport, we are with you all the way.
