Philanthropist who devoted life to saving lions killed by one as he went to loo

A philanthropist who devoted his life to saving desert was tragically killed by one of them when he woke up at night to go to the loo.

Dad-of-two Bernd Kebbel, 59, and his wife Conny, 57, had joined a wildlife expedition at a camp in the Hoanib River in the north of the country when the tragic incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning. According to reports, the wealthy man and his wife were asleep in their tent mounted on top of a 4x4 when Mr Kebbel woke up as he needed to go to the toilet.

However, while climbing down a ladder from his tent, he wasn't aware that a lioness was waiting in the dark. The quickly attacked him, with its jaws tearing into the man's neck and throat. Mr Kebbel's screams woke up the rest of the camp who rushed to his rescue and they chased the lioness away before it could devour its victim.

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But sadly, nothing could be done to save Mr Kebbel, who was killed almost instantly in the attack, Namibian police said. His blood-soaked body was covered up until authorities could arrive at the camp. It is now feared that the lioness, named Charlie by locals, may be hunted and shot dead, reported.

A Namibian lion expert who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "Thankfully it would have been quick as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime. There are only about 60 desert lions in this region of Kunane where the attack happened and in this particular area around the Hoanib Camp maybe a dozen at the very most.

"The desert lions have adapted to the harsh and burning desert environment and have become extremely adept night-time hunters as there is no cover for them during the day. They are quick and fast and extremely strong and do not get much opportunity to hunt so can become very hungry – hungry enough to risk attacking a feared human."

Namibian police said: "There were brave efforts by fellow campers who drove the animal away but it was too late to save him from the fatal injuries inflicted to his neck." A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said an investigation was launched after Mr Kebbel's death.

Mr Kebbel's children are now said to be travelling to Namibia to comfort their mother at their home in the capital, Windhoek. According to local news website , Mr Kebbel was the former owner of the Outdoor Centre and was well known in desert lion researcher circles.

Namibian desert lions are a unique population that have adapted to survive in extremely arid conditions, particularly along the Skeleton Coast. They are known for their ability to adapt their diet to include marine prey, including seals and seabirds, due to the scarcity of their usual pray like oryx and ostriches.