Lions are apex predators capable of killing and consuming almost any animal, including humans. While attacks on people are rare, lions have become “man-eaters” in certain regions. The infamous Tsavo lions of 1898, which preyed on railway workers in Kenya, established the historical precedent for this behavior. The threat is most pronounced where human populations have expanded into traditional lion habitats, leading to conflict.
Why a Lion Becomes a Man-Eater
The switch from natural prey to humans is driven by a combination of physical incapacity and learned behavior. The primary factor is physical incapacitation, which makes it difficult for a lion to successfully hunt fast, tough-skinned natural prey like buffalo or zebra. Damage to the jaw or teeth, often caused by injury or old age, can severely limit a lion’s ability to hold and suffocate large animals. For example, a lion with a severe abscessed tooth may turn to humans because their softer flesh and less defensive nature present an easier meal.
Humans are seen as an easy food source when a lion’s hunting ability is compromised. The behavior can also be learned, such as when lions scavenge human remains left exposed after disease outbreaks or war, which habituates them to the taste of human flesh. In some social groups, this preference can become a local tradition, where cubs learn to prey on humans by observing their parents. Once a lion loses its fear of people and recognizes them as easily acquired prey, the man-eating habit can persist even after the initial physical ailment heals.
When and Where Attacks Occur
Lion attacks are linked to the overlap between human and lion territories, driven by habitat encroachment. As human settlements and agricultural land expand into the African savanna, lions are forced into greater proximity with people and their livestock. The loss of habitat and fragmentation of lion ranges reduce the availability of wild prey, such as wildebeest and zebra. This pushes the lions to seek alternative food sources.
This conflict is exacerbated during periods of environmental stress, such as severe drought or disease outbreaks that decimate prey populations. When wild prey is scarce, lions frequently target domesticated livestock, which brings them into conflict with herders and farmers. The highest incidence of fatalities often occurs during the cold, dry season. This is when lions are more likely to venture outside protected areas in search of food and water.
Predatory Techniques Used on Humans
The lion’s attack on a human is an application of its standard predatory technique against a relatively small, defenseless target. Lions are built for explosive, short-distance charges, capable of sprinting up to 80 kilometers per hour to close the gap with their prey. Once the lion has tackled a human, it employs an efficient killing method aimed at causing rapid death by asphyxiation or spinal trauma.
The preferred method is a suffocating bite to the throat or muzzle, which compresses the windpipe and cuts off blood and oxygen flow to the brain. The lion’s powerful jaws can also be used to break the neck or sever the spinal cord with a forceful bite to the back of the head or neck. This quick, decisive action ensures the prey is neutralized before it can struggle or cause injury.