Latest news with #ForestryandTourism
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
The risk of death is greater than safari goers would like to believe
There's a mistaken assumption that heavy rains halt play for most wildlife. But one thing I've learnt from my 50-plus safaris is that animals – particularly predators – are reliably unpredictable. My most recent uncomfortably close encounter occurred earlier this year during the height of Kenya's rainy season. Thick grey clouds had gathered over the luxury lodge where I was staying on the edge of the Maasai Mara, accelerating the onset of dusk. During daylight hours, it's generally considered safe to walk freely between rooms – even in unfenced areas – so with the sun still hovering above the horizon, I assumed a short dash to the communal dining area would be fine. As I left my fancy villa, furiously scrolling through emails on my phone, I heard a growl far louder than peals of thunder tearing across the plains. Looking up, I saw the back end of a lioness prowling through the undergrowth and I did exactly what I've always been told not to do – I turned around and ran. In reality, she was probably more terrified of the giant two-legged creature encroaching on her territory – but bumping into a big cat in Africa doesn't always end so well. On May 30, businessman Bernd Kebbel was mauled to death by a lioness as he stepped out of his tent to use the toilet. He was camping in Namibia's Hoanib Valley, a remote area where desert-adapted lions roam along seasonal riverbeds. I'd visited the region only two weeks previously and had been thrilled to spot a lion in a region historically ravaged by drought. According to a survey carried out by Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in 2022/2023, there are less than 100 desert-adapted lions in the country, with numbers fluctuating due to human/wildlife conflict. That population declined further when Charlie, the lioness responsible for the attack, was shot dead by authorities. What happened to Mr Kebbel was tragic, but it's not the first time that foreigners have had fatal run-ins with animals. Last year, an American tourist was killed when an elephant charged their vehicle in Zambia's Kafue National Park. A month earlier, a Spanish traveller was trampled to death by a breeding herd when he stepped out of his car to take a photograph in a South African game reserve. As the safari industry continues to thrive and our appetite for wild encounters grows, our guards have dropped faster than the fences which once enclosed many camps. I've always been an advocate for opening up corridors, allowing elephant herds to follow traditional migratory routes and predator-prey dynamics to naturally evolve. But living alongside wildlife requires careful and cautious planning and as human populations continue to grow, that relationship hangs in a delicate balance. The real problem is not 'them' but 'us' and the safari industry is partly to blame. Cultivated by marketers eager to sell holidays, the romantic, Disneyfied notion of an idyllic wilderness is misguided. On countless game drives, I've watched vehicles edge uncomfortably close to potentially dangerous animals in the hope of getting a better iPhone photograph. There's also an assumption that booking a room in a five-star lodge gives us carte blanche to wander around freely as we would at home. Despite repeated warnings from staff, it's all too easy to switch off our senses – ironically detaching ourselves from an environment where we're encouraged to feel immersed. To their credit, many camps – like Angama Amboseli in Kenya and Dukes in Botswana – are attempting to educate travellers about the true struggles of human and wildlife co-existence. But due to a combination of complacency and over-confidence, too many have lost a healthy, respectful fear for the wild. Of course, not every creature in Africa's forests, plains and oceans is actively set on killing humans. Far from it. Most would prefer to be left to continue their lives undisturbed. But blurring the invisible boundaries which should exist between humans and wild animals can lead to fatal accidents. Every time I look into a lion's eyes, I shudder. Hearing their guttural roars outside my tent still sends me into shivers. That tingling fear is humbling – a reminder of the awesome wonders existing within our natural world. Several years ago, I joined a mobile safari through northern Namibia with the late conservationist Garth Owen Smith. One night, we camped on a dry riverbed, close to the Hoanib Valley. As we fell asleep, listening to lions roar, I asked Owen Smith why nobody had thought to pack a rifle for protection. 'Because we might be tempted to use it,' he replied matter-of-factly. Years later, his response makes total sense. Far more effective than bullets, fear, respect and caution are the greatest weapons we have to protect ourselves in a world which should always be alluringly but dangerously wild. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
59-year-old German businessman fatally mauled by lioness in Namibia
What started as a peaceful safari holiday in one of Africa's most remote and untouched regions turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a German couple. Bernd Kebbel, a 59-year-old businessman and philanthropist, was killed by a lioness while camping in northwestern Namibia– a region known for its desert wildlife and far from the usual tourist spots. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident happened in the early hours of May 30, near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, a destination popular with travellers looking for quiet, off-the-grid wildlife adventures. Kebbel was on the trip with his wife and a few close friends. Lioness attacked as victim stepped out of tent Local officials said Kebbel had stepped out of his tent early in the morning to use the toilet when the lioness attacked. The group was camping near the Hoanib River in Namibia's Sesfontein constituency, an area known to be home to wild, free-roaming lions. Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, spokesperson for Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, confirmed, as quoted by Informante: 'The victim had stepped out of his tent to use the toilet on Friday morning, May 30, when he was attacked by the lioness.' Despite quick efforts by others in the group to scare the lioness away, Kebbel suffered serious injuries and sadly died on the spot. Police confirm investigation; full report awaited Namibian police arrived at the campsite soon after the attack and launched an investigation. While a full report is still awaited, early information indicates that the group had been camping in an area that wasn't fenced or regularly checked for wildlife activity. A police spokesperson told CBS News that 'a full report will be submitted in due course.' Lioness tracked and put down for public safety Two days after the incident, on June 1, wildlife officials confirmed that the lioness responsible had been found and put down. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Authorities said the move was necessary to prevent any further risk to both locals and tourists in the area. Remembering Bernd Kebbel Bernd Kebbel was well known in Germany's off-road automotive industry. He formerly ran the Offroad Centre, a company that focused on gear for 4x4 vehicles and adventure travel. His visit to Namibia was meant to be a personal getaway– one that sadly ended in an unimaginable tragedy. Desert-adapted lions under spotlight Northwestern Namibia is home to a rare and unique population of desert-adapted lions. Unlike the more common savannah lions, these lions have evolved to survive in harsh, dry conditions with very little water and often roam long distances in search of food. Their numbers remain low, with conservation estimates suggesting there are only about 60 adult lions and a few cubs left in the region. Although these lions are usually shy and avoid humans, experts say that rising human activity, especially through camping in remote areas, can sometimes increase the chances of dangerous encounters.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lion kills man on safari who left tent for toilet
WINDHOEK, Namibia (WJW) — A lion fatally mauled a well-known businessman at a luxury safari lodge in Namibia after he stepped out of his tent to use the toilet, authorities said. Bernd Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife and friends at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp when the attack happened early Sunday morning, according to local media and Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Is it OK to leave device chargers plugged in all the time? An expert explains Environment ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told Informanté, a Namibian news outlet, that the lion attacked Kebbel just outside his tent. Other guests managed to drive the animal away, but Kebbel had already died from his injuries. Police are investigating the incident and collecting details at the scene, according to a spokesperson. Nurse loses license over sexual misconduct with anesthetized patients The Namibian identified Kebbel as a businessman and philanthropist known for his support of wildlife conservation in the country. The lioness was put down on Sunday, June 1, according to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Businessman mauled to death by lioness while camping with wife during safari trip
A lioness fatally attacked Bernd Kebbel, a prominent 59-year-old German businessman and philanthropist, during a safari trip in Namibia on the morning of Friday, May 30, while he was camping near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein area, according to media reports. At the time of the attack, Kebbel was camping with his wife and a group of friends along the Hoanib River. According to Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, a spokesperson for Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the attack occurred when Kebbel stepped out of his tent to use the toilet. Also read: 'I cried on Google Meet': Bengaluru techie quits job after public shaming and gaslighting 'The victim had stepped out of his tent to use the toilet on Friday morning, May 30, when he was attacked by the lioness,' said Hamunyela, as quoted by Informante. The group reacted quickly and managed to chase the lioness away, but Kebbel had already succumbed to his injuries. A police spokesperson told CBS News that officers were present at the scene and that 'a full report will be submitted in due course.' Also read: Big fat Indian wedding in France: Billionaire Sunil Vaswani's daughter ties the knot in style Authorities later confirmed that the lioness involved in the incident was euthanised on Sunday, June 1. Officials stated the decision was made because the animal posed a continued threat to both tourists and nearby communities. Kebbel was the former owner of the Offroad Centre, a business known for specialising in equipment for offroad vehicles. Namibia's northwest region, where the incident took place, is home to desert-adapted lions, a rare population uniquely suited to the harsh environment. As of 2023, the estimated population included around 60 adult lions and over a dozen cubs. Also read: Paralysed woman in China exposes husband who fled with ₹3.5 crore after abusing and deceiving her
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Businessman Dies ‘Horrifying' Death While on Safari in Africa
A 59-year-old man was killed while on a safari excursion in Namibia last Friday. The local media later identified him as Bernd Kebbel. Kebbel, a well-known businessman, was camping in the Sesfontein area with his wife and friends before he was tragically killed by a lioness. A Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson said Kebbel stepped out of his tent to use the toilet when he was attacked by the animal. Members of Kebbel's camping group were able to chase the animal away, but he was already dead by then. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced that the lioness who killed Kebbel was put down because it posed an "ongoing threat to both community members and tourists." A full report from the authorities will be submitted "in due course." Kebbel, who once owned a company that sold accessories for safari vehicles, was an advocate for wildlife conservation. According to the Namibian, he was also known in desert lion researcher circles. This is the second time in the past six weeks that a deadly lion attack has taken place in Africa. In April, a 14-year-old girl was killed outside Kenya's capital Nairobi. "KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilized and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back," the Kenya Wildlife Service said. "KWS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and continues to work closely with local law enforcement and communities to enhance the safety of people living near protected wildlife areas." Businessman Dies 'Horrifying' Death While on Safari in Africa first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025
