An entrepreneur who generously funded efforts to protect Namibian desert lions tragically met his demise at the hands of one of these majestic creatures when he left his tent to go to the restroom.
Bernd Kebbel, a father of two, was on a wildlife adventure with his wife, Conny, and friends at a camp in northern Namibia when the tragic incident occurred.
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 4×4, 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.
The region where the attack took place, Kunene, is home to only around 60 desert lions, with possibly a dozen of them residing near the Hoanib Camp.
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 4×4 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.
The tragic death of Kebbel was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibian Police who said it happened near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp.
A Namibian police spokesman 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.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the tourism ministry confirmed that officials had been dispatched to the site.
They said: “We can confirm that Mr Kebbel was killed.
“Our team is on the ground investigating.”
