Latest news with #Namibian
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Namibian businessman killed by lioness while on safari with his wife, friends
LUSAKA (Zambia): Bernd Kebbel, a Namibian businessman and well-known philanthropist who supported wildlife conservation, was killed by a lioness while on safari, the country's Tourism Ministry and police said on Saturday. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife, Conny, 57, and a group of friends near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Kunene Region's Sesfontein area, nearly 700 kilometres (434 miles) north of the capital, Windhoek. While his wife slept in the tent set up on the roof of his vehicle, Kebbel went outside to relieve himself when he was attacked by a lioness and bitten in the neck, according to on-site reports gathered by Tourism Ministry officials and police. 'We can confirm that Kebbel was unfortunately killed during the incident,' Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told local media. Separately, Namibian police spokesperson Immanuel Iiduwa announced that a case of human-wildlife conflict has been officially opened as part of the investigation into the incident. '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 on his neck,' Iiduwa said. Kebbel was also a well-known figure in desert lion conservation circles. According to some media reports, the incident raises questions about human-wildlife interactions in Namibia's remote areas, particularly those involving endangered desert-adapted lions.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Namibian businessman killed by lioness while on safari
LUSAKA (Zambia): Bernd Kebbel, a Namibian businessman and well-known philanthropist who supported wildlife conservation, was killed by a lioness while on safari, the country's Tourism Ministry and police said on Saturday. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife, Conny, 57, and a group of friends near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Kunene Region's Sesfontein area, nearly 700 kilometres (434 miles) north of the capital, Windhoek. While his wife slept in the tent set up on the roof of his vehicle, Kebbel went outside to relieve himself when he was attacked by a lioness and bitten in the neck, according to on-site reports gathered by Tourism Ministry officials and police. 'We can confirm that Kebbel was unfortunately killed during the incident,' Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told local media. Separately, Namibian police spokesperson Immanuel Iiduwa announced that a case of human-wildlife conflict has been officially opened as part of the investigation into the incident. '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 on his neck,' Iiduwa said. Kebbel was also a well-known figure in desert lion conservation circles. According to some media reports, the incident raises questions about human-wildlife interactions in Namibia's remote areas, particularly those involving endangered desert-adapted lions.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Philanthropist who devoted life to saving lions killed by one as he went to loo
Businessman Bernd Kebbel, 59, tragically died when a lioness attacked him in the early hours of Friday morning as he exited his tent on top of a 4x4 to go to the toilet A philanthropist who devoted his life to saving Namibian desert lions 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 animal 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. 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, Mail Online 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 The Namibian, 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.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Businessman mauled to death by lion after stepping out of his tent to use the toilet during overnight safari
EATEN ALIVE Businessman mauled to death by lion after stepping out of his tent to use the toilet during overnight safari A BUSINESSMAN who spent large sums of money supporting Namibian desert lions has been killed by one of the predators after leaving his tent to use the loo. Dad-of-two Bernd Kebbel, 59, was with his wife Conny on a wildlife expedition at a camp with friends in the north of the country before the horror attack. 1 A wealthy philanthropist who spent large sums of money supporting desert lions has been killed by one Credit: Supplied The tragedy unfolded when Kebbel got up in the early hours of Friday morning. The philanthropist climbed down a ladder from the safety of his rooftop tent mounted on the top of a 4x4, before the beast lunged at him. His desperate screams woke up the rest of the shocked camp in Namibia who rushed to his rescue in the darkness. They bravely chased off the lioness before it could devour its victim. Namibian police said nothing could be done to save the keen outdoorsman who was killed almost instantly in the savage ordeal. His body was covered up until authorities could arrive. It is believed that the lioness with cubs - named by locals as Charlie - may be hunted and shot dead. A Namibian lion expert 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 expert added: '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." The businessman has two grown-up children, Dieter and Heidi, both in their late twenties. They are said to have moved to South Africa where they went to university before pursuing their careers. It is understood they are flying home to comfort their devastated mum Conny, 57, at their home in the capital Windhoek. Kebbel owned the Off-Road-Centre in Namibia's main city Windhoek which bought and sold 4x4 safari vehicles and accessories needed in the wild. Lion expert Izak Smit said that Namibia's most famous lion expert Dr Philip 'Flip' Stander had named an adult male Kebbel in his honour. He said it was to recognise the large sums of money he paid into looking after lions. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Businessman mauled to death by lion after stepping out of his tent to use the toilet during overnight safari
A BUSINESSMAN who spent large sums of money supporting Namibian desert lions has been killed by one of the predators after leaving his tent to use the loo. Dad-of-two Bernd Kebbel, 59, was with his wife Conny on a wildlife expedition at a camp with friends in the north of the country before the horror attack. Advertisement 1 A wealthy philanthropist who spent large sums of money supporting desert lions has been killed by one Credit: Supplied The tragedy unfolded when Kebbel got up in the early hours of Friday morning. The philanthropist climbed down a ladder from the safety of his rooftop tent mounted on the top of a 4x4, before the beast lunged at him. His desperate screams woke up the rest of the shocked camp in Namibia who rushed to his rescue in the darkness. They bravely chased off the lioness before it could devour its victim. Advertisement Namibian police said nothing could be done to save the keen outdoorsman who was killed almost instantly in the savage ordeal. His body was covered up until authorities could arrive. It is believed that the lioness with cubs - named by locals as Charlie - may be hunted and shot dead. A Namibian lion expert said: 'Thankfully it would have been quick as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive '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 expert added: '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." The businessman has two grown-up children, Dieter and Heidi, both in their late twenties. They are said to have moved to South Africa where they went to university before pursuing their careers. Advertisement It is understood they are flying home to comfort their devastated mum Conny, 57, at their home in the capital Windhoek. Kebbel owned the Off-Road-Centre in Namibia's main city Windhoek which bought and sold 4x4 safari vehicles and accessories needed in the wild. Lion expert Izak Smit said that Namibia's most famous lion expert Dr Philip 'Flip' Stander had named an adult male Kebbel in his honour. He said it was to recognise the large sums of money he paid into looking after lions. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
