The Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo are some of the most famous exhibits at The Field Museum, partly because of the 1996 movie “The Ghost and The Darkness.” However, the film isn’t entirely accurate. It was shot in South Africa instead of Kenya, and the lions in the movie had big manes and came from a zoo in Ontario. Despite these differences, the movie is based on real events.
In 1898, two lions in Tsavo, Kenya, started attacking and eating railway workers. This terrifying story was recorded by Colonel John H. Patterson in his book, “The Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures.” Patterson, a civil engineer, was in charge of building a bridge for the Kenya-Uganda railway. Soon after he arrived, the lions began dragging workers from their tents at night, causing widespread fear. Estimates of the number of people attacked range from 28 to 135 over nine months. Patterson eventually killed both lions within a few weeks of each other. He sold them to The Field Museum in 1925, where they were preserved and are still on display today.
In 2009, scientists studied the lions’ hair to learn more about their diet. They looked at bone collagen and hair keratin levels, which can show what the lions ate in their last months. The results suggested that the lions ate about 35 people, which is fewer than Patterson’s estimates but still a lot.
One big question remains: why did the lions start eating people? Some theories suggest they were desperate due to a lack of food or developed a taste for human flesh after eating railway workers who had died from other causes. One of the lions had severe dental issues and an infection, which might have made hunting regular prey difficult. This lion was found to have eaten 24 people, suggesting its partner ate at least 11.
Dr. Bruce Patterson, a curator of mammals at The Field Museum, discussed why the lions might have behaved this way. He noted that many man-eating big cats have injuries that make them target slower prey. He examined the skull of one lion and found a broken tooth that had been worn down, indicating the injury happened years before the lion died.
Emily, the interviewer, wondered why both lions started eating humans. Dr. Patterson suggested that since the lions likely lived together their whole lives, one might have influenced the other.
Dr. Larisa DeSantis from Vanderbilt University, who studies ancient species, also shared her thoughts. She looks at dental wear patterns to understand animal diets. If the Tsavo lions were eating human bones, it might mean they were desperate for food.
Dr. DeSantis explained her method of studying the lions’ teeth by making dental impressions to analyze wear patterns. This research could reveal if the lions were in a desperate situation.
Even though more than a century has passed since the lions’ deaths, new research and technology allow scientists to explore why they acted as they did. Dr. Bruce Patterson highlighted the importance of museum collections in uncovering these stories and the potential for more discoveries from museum specimens.
The Brain Scoop is supported by The Field Museum and The Harris Family Foundation.
Research more about the history of the Tsavo lions and their impact on the local community and railway construction. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class. Focus on the historical context and the challenges faced by the workers during that time.
Participate in a class debate on the ethics of hunting animals that pose a threat to humans. Consider the situation with the Tsavo lions and discuss whether Colonel Patterson’s actions were justified. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a respectful discussion.
Simulate a scientific investigation by analyzing data related to animal behavior. Use the example of the Tsavo lions to explore how scientists use evidence like dental wear patterns and dietary analysis to draw conclusions about animal behavior. Present your findings in a report.
Work in groups to create a short film or documentary about the Tsavo lions. Use creative storytelling to depict the events and theories discussed in the article. Focus on accuracy and engage your audience by highlighting the mystery and scientific investigations.
Visit a local museum or explore online museum collections to learn about how historical artifacts and specimens are preserved. Discuss the importance of museum collections in understanding historical events, using the Tsavo lions as a case study. Write a reflection on your experience.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
The Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo are among the most famous specimens on display at The Field Museum, partly due to the 1996 film “The Ghost and The Darkness.” However, the movie contains several inaccuracies: it was filmed in South Africa instead of Kenya, and the lions depicted have impressive manes and were sourced from a zoo in Ontario. Nevertheless, the story is based on true events.
In 1898, two lions began attacking and consuming railway workers in Tsavo, Kenya. Their story was documented by Colonel John H. Patterson in his book, “The Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures.” Patterson, a civil engineer, was tasked with completing a bridge for the Kenya-Uganda railway. Shortly after his arrival, a pair of male lions started dragging men from their tents at night, leading to widespread panic. Initial estimates of the number of people attacked ranged from 28 to 135 over nine months, until Patterson finally shot and killed the lions within a few weeks of each other. He later sold them to The Field Museum in 1925, where they were turned into taxidermy mounts that are still on display today.
In 2009, scientists examined hairs from the lions’ pelts, focusing on bone collagen and hair keratin values. These levels indicate the types of food the lions consumed in the last months of their lives. Grazers like antelope leave different levels than carnivorous humans. The results suggested that the two lions together consumed about 35 people, which is fewer than Patterson’s estimates but still significant.
There remains an unanswered question: why did they begin eating humans? Theories include food scarcity and desperation, or that the lions developed a taste for human flesh after feeding on railway workers who had died from other causes. One lion showed signs of major dental trauma and a serious infection, which may have hindered its ability to hunt typical prey. However, research indicated that this lion had consumed 24 humans, suggesting its partner also consumed at least 11.
Dr. Bruce Patterson, curator of mammals at The Field Museum, discussed theories regarding the lions’ behavior. He noted that many man-eating big cats have been found to be injured or crippled, which may lead them to target slower prey. He examined the skull of one of the lions, noting a broken tooth that had been polished by wear, indicating the injury occurred years before its death.
Emily, the interviewer, pointed out that the two lions worked together, raising questions about why both began consuming humans. Dr. Patterson suggested that they likely lived together all their lives, and one may have influenced the other.
Dr. Larisa DeSantis from Vanderbilt University, who studies extinction events in Pleistocene species, also weighed in. She examines dental wear patterns to understand the diets of animals. If the Tsavo lions were desperate enough to consume human bones, it could indicate a lack of typical prey.
DeSantis explained her methodology for studying the lions’ teeth, which involves creating dental impressions to analyze wear patterns. This research could help determine whether the lions were in a state of desperation.
Despite the passage of over a century since the lions’ deaths, ongoing research and new technologies allow scientists to explore the motivations behind their actions in the final months of their lives. Dr. Bruce Patterson emphasized the value of museum collections in uncovering these stories, highlighting the potential for further discoveries from the specimens housed in museums.
The Brain Scoop is made possible by The Field Museum and The Harris Family Foundation.
Lions – Lions are large carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Felidae, known for their strength and social behavior, often living in groups called prides. – In the late 19th century, the infamous Tsavo lions were responsible for attacking workers during the construction of the railway in Kenya.
Tsavo – Tsavo is a region in Kenya known for its national parks and wildlife, including the famous maneless lions that caused havoc during the construction of the railway. – The Tsavo lions became legendary for their attacks on humans, which halted the railway construction temporarily.
Kenya – Kenya is a country in East Africa known for its diverse wildlife and rich history, including the construction of the Uganda Railway in the late 1800s. – The construction of the railway in Kenya was a significant historical event that faced challenges from the local wildlife, including the Tsavo lions.
Humans – Humans are a species of primates known as Homo sapiens, characterized by their ability to create complex societies and technologies. – During the construction of the railway in Kenya, humans had to devise strategies to protect themselves from the Tsavo lions.
Diet – Diet refers to the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. – The Tsavo lions’ diet unusually included humans, which was a rare behavior observed during the railway construction period.
Railway – A railway is a track made of steel rails along which trains run, often used for transporting goods and passengers over long distances. – The construction of the railway in Kenya was a monumental task that faced numerous challenges, including attacks from the Tsavo lions.
Injuries – Injuries refer to physical harm or damage to a person’s body caused by accidents or attacks. – Many workers suffered injuries during the construction of the railway due to the unexpected attacks by the Tsavo lions.
Research – Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Extensive research has been conducted to understand the unusual behavior of the Tsavo lions during the railway construction.
Museum – A museum is an institution that conserves a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. – The Field Museum in Chicago houses the preserved remains of the Tsavo lions, providing insight into their history and behavior.
Adventure – Adventure refers to an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. – The story of the Tsavo lions is often recounted as an adventure of survival and human ingenuity during the railway construction in Kenya.
