In what looks like a 'cartoon revenge story', but very sad, a lion mauled a guide leading six tourists on a walking safari in the Zimbabwean national park where Cecil the lion lived before he was killed.
Late Quinn Terence Swales |
Authorities said the guide identified as 40 year-old Quinn Terence Swales, was attacked on Monday, August 24, after the group left their vehicle to inspect a pride of lions with cubs under a tree in the Hwange National Park, the country’s largest natural reserve.
According to Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba, “Some cubs came near the tourists and one adult lion identified as Nxaha charged at them,”
“The adult lion retreated for a while and then came charging at the guide. It knocked him down and mauled him on the neck and shoulder.”
Charamba further urged visitors to game parks to “remain wary even when the animals appear friendly because with an animal you can never predict its next move".
Swales, was airlifted from the scene, regrettably, he was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
Confirmed the incident in a statement, owners of the safari camp stated: “It is with deep regret and great sadness that we are able to confirm the death of Quinn Swales, a Camp Hwange professional guide, who was fatally mauled by a male lion whilst out on a walking safari,”.
“We can confirm that Quinn did everything he could to successfully protect his guests and ensure their safety, and that no guests were injured.”
So sad, lets hope there are better safety measures introduced to protect both guides and tourists.
So sad, lets hope there are better safety measures introduced to protect both guides and tourists.