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Between March and December 1898, two lions known as the “Man-Eaters of Tsavo” unleashed a horrific killing spree on railway workers near the Tsavo River in Kenya. Reports suggest that these lions claimed dozens of lives, with estimates reaching as high as 135 fatalities.
The reign of terror came to an end when British Army Colonel John Henry Patterson shot the lions, one on December 9 and the other on December 29. This chilling episode remains one of the most notorious cases of animal attacks on humans in modern history.
A Deep Dive into Their Diet
Recent research has illuminated the diets of these infamous lions. By examining hair samples found in the lions’ jaws and teeth, scientists extracted DNA to reveal startling details about what they consumed 126 years ago.
The Rise of the Man-Eaters
The story began in March 1898, when Colonel Patterson oversaw the construction of a railway bridge over the Tsavo River. Workers, primarily of Indian descent, camped in a series of settlements stretching for eight miles. It wasn’t long before the lions began to stalk these camps, dragging workers from their tents at night.
Initially sporadic, the attacks escalated to nightly occurrences, prompting the construction crew to implement various protective measures such as fires, wooden barriers, and thorny bushes. However, these efforts failed to deter the lions, leading to widespread panic among the workers and a halt to the construction project.
Prime Minister Lord Salisbury even addressed the House of Lords about the crisis, acknowledging the significant disruption caused by the man-eating lions and the need for a skilled hunter to eliminate the threat.
As the year progressed, Colonel Patterson and his team set traps and ambushes, but capturing the lions proved more challenging than anticipated. Finally, Patterson succeeded in killing the first lion on December 9, with the second lion falling 20 days later. Following their deaths, work crews returned to the area, completing the bridge in February 1899. However, the legacy of the “Man-Eaters of Tsavo” would haunt the region for generations.
Investigating the Lions’ Diet
While the popular theory suggests that dental issues may have led the lions to seek out easier prey, a recent study has provided a more comprehensive view of their diet. In 2009, isotope testing of the lions’ bone collagen and hair keratin indicated that one lion had consumed approximately 10.5 humans, while the other had eaten around 24.2.
A new study published in Current Biology delved deeper into the lions’ dietary habits, revealing that they also preyed on giraffes, oryx, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebras. Collaborating with the Field Museum in Chicago, researchers analyzed hair samples found in the lions’ teeth, painting a clearer picture of their feeding behaviors.
Interestingly, the study uncovered that the nearest wildebeest were approximately 50 miles away from the lions’ territory at the time. This suggests that the lions may have hunted over a larger area than previously believed, or that existing data on wildebeest territory might be inaccurate. Moreover, recorded fluctuations in attacks on railway workers support the theory that the lions traveled extensively in search of food.
Researchers also confirmed that the lions were brothers, as each had the other’s hair in their teeth, indicating a grooming behavior typical of closely bonded lions.
Human DNA and Future Implications
The study also recovered DNA from human hair, prompting discussions about potentially identifying descendants of the victims. However, due to the sensitive nature of the brutal deaths, researchers aim to proceed cautiously. “There may be descendants or communities that have mixed feelings about this type of analysis,” noted Ripan S. Malhi, an anthropological geneticist at the University of Illinois.
This technology holds promise not only for understanding past tragedies but also for preventing future incidents. Analyzing predator hair can help identify environmental and health factors that might lead to human-animal conflicts. “Understanding these dynamics can inform strategies to reduce risks, especially if lions transition from hunting wildlife to preying on domestic animals and ultimately humans,” explained study author Alida de Flamingh.
For now, the research team is excited to share their findings, which add valuable context to one of the grisliest chapters in modern history.
