Safari Guide Killed in Zimbabwe Park That Was Home to Cecil the Lion, A tour guide died after being mauled by a lion in the same park in Zimbabwe where Cecil, a well-known lion, was killed by an American dentist.
Camp Hwange Zimbabwe confirmed on its Facebook page on Monday the death of Quinn Swales, saying that Mr. Swales, 40, had been attacked by a male lion while leading a group 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 in the incident,” the post read. “Unfortunately, Quinn passed away this morning as result of the injuries sustained at the scene.”
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said in a statement that Mr. Swales said the attack occurred after he tracked a pride of lions that consisted of two females, two cubs and two males. A collared lion, named Nxaha, jumped at Mr. Swales, and “all efforts to save Quinn were in vain,” the ministry said.
Guides had taken notice of Nxaha’s unusual aggression in the past. In February, another lodge posted a warning about the 14-year-old lion, a “Hwange legend” who was known to attack research vehicles.
“If you are lucky enough to see him, be very wary, undoubtedly he is dangerous,” Imvelo Safari Lodges wrote.
A Facebook page apparently belonging to Mr. Swales said that he was from Zimbabwe. The page was adorned with pictures of wildlife, airplanes and motocross bikes.
“All walking guides are aware of the risks that their work entails,” Steven Bolnick, who was familiar with Mr. Swales’s work as a guide, wrote on Facebook, “but it is so sad when those whose lives are dedicated to conservation die in their line of work.”
Pictures on a tourism website show visitors of Camp Hwange taking pictures of lions, elephants and zebras at close range.
The business charges $685 a night for visitors who wish to stay at a so-called eco-friendly camp and walk or go on drives in open vehicles through the bush.
Ecotourism is big business in Africa. According to a 2013 assessment from the United Nations Environment Program, Africa accounts for about half of all wildlife tourism worldwide.
The money from a developed economy is seen as a boon to developing nations, in part because the revenue it provides help to preserve the environment.
But an increase in human observers can take its toll on wildlife: A 2009 study of lions at a national park in South Africa said that the animals showed increased signs of stress when in the presence of human visitors.
“Lions were significantly more likely to exhibit disturbance behaviors when tourists were present,” the study found, adding that the animals under stress could be at an increased risk to contract disease.
Mr. Swales’s death resounded on social media, in part because of international attention brought by the killing of Cecil in the same park nearly a month earlier.
Walter J. Palmer, an American dentist, is accused of luring the 13-year-old cat from his protected habitat in order to kill him. Some conservationists argue that, if done responsibly, selling expensive licenses to big-game hunters can help pay for efforts to protect endangered species.
Dr. Palmer said he thought he had the required licenses and did not know of Cecil’s notoriety and importance.
The trial of Theo Bronkhorst, a professional hunter who is said to have helped Dr. Palmer on the hunt, was postponed until Sept. 28.
Camp Hwange Zimbabwe confirmed on its Facebook page on Monday the death of Quinn Swales, saying that Mr. Swales, 40, had been attacked by a male lion while leading a group 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 in the incident,” the post read. “Unfortunately, Quinn passed away this morning as result of the injuries sustained at the scene.”
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said in a statement that Mr. Swales said the attack occurred after he tracked a pride of lions that consisted of two females, two cubs and two males. A collared lion, named Nxaha, jumped at Mr. Swales, and “all efforts to save Quinn were in vain,” the ministry said.
Guides had taken notice of Nxaha’s unusual aggression in the past. In February, another lodge posted a warning about the 14-year-old lion, a “Hwange legend” who was known to attack research vehicles.
“If you are lucky enough to see him, be very wary, undoubtedly he is dangerous,” Imvelo Safari Lodges wrote.
A Facebook page apparently belonging to Mr. Swales said that he was from Zimbabwe. The page was adorned with pictures of wildlife, airplanes and motocross bikes.
“All walking guides are aware of the risks that their work entails,” Steven Bolnick, who was familiar with Mr. Swales’s work as a guide, wrote on Facebook, “but it is so sad when those whose lives are dedicated to conservation die in their line of work.”
Pictures on a tourism website show visitors of Camp Hwange taking pictures of lions, elephants and zebras at close range.
The business charges $685 a night for visitors who wish to stay at a so-called eco-friendly camp and walk or go on drives in open vehicles through the bush.
Ecotourism is big business in Africa. According to a 2013 assessment from the United Nations Environment Program, Africa accounts for about half of all wildlife tourism worldwide.
The money from a developed economy is seen as a boon to developing nations, in part because the revenue it provides help to preserve the environment.
But an increase in human observers can take its toll on wildlife: A 2009 study of lions at a national park in South Africa said that the animals showed increased signs of stress when in the presence of human visitors.
“Lions were significantly more likely to exhibit disturbance behaviors when tourists were present,” the study found, adding that the animals under stress could be at an increased risk to contract disease.
Mr. Swales’s death resounded on social media, in part because of international attention brought by the killing of Cecil in the same park nearly a month earlier.
Walter J. Palmer, an American dentist, is accused of luring the 13-year-old cat from his protected habitat in order to kill him. Some conservationists argue that, if done responsibly, selling expensive licenses to big-game hunters can help pay for efforts to protect endangered species.
Dr. Palmer said he thought he had the required licenses and did not know of Cecil’s notoriety and importance.
The trial of Theo Bronkhorst, a professional hunter who is said to have helped Dr. Palmer on the hunt, was postponed until Sept. 28.
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