The news spread around the world: lion kills businessman in Namibia. In the night of 30 to 31 May, at around 1:30 a.m. to be precise, Namibian Bernd Kebbel climbed out of his roof tent. Just to quickly go to the toilet.
An experienced outdoor enthusiast, he was camping with his family and friends in the Hoanib Rivier (dry river) in north-western Namibia. As he had done many times before. He knew there were lions in the Hoanib. So-called desert lions.
He knew these lions, respected and appreciated them. For years, he had contributed to their survival and protection with monetary and material donations and by organising large fundraising events.
One of these big cats was lying near the still warm fire pit. According to experts, this is rather unusual behaviour given the lion's instinctive respect for humans.
She attacked and grabbed the completely surprised man by the head. Kebbels' wife and friends managed to get the lioness to let go. But the 59-year-old was already dead. They drove with his body to the nearest lodge and reported the incident.
The next morning, conservation officers and lion expert Flip Stander from the Desert Lion Conservation Trust (DLCT) found the lioness at the site of the abandoned camp. She was chewing on shoes that the group had left behind.
The following night, DLCT filmed her when she briefly stopped by this camp again. A few hours later, she attacked another camper elsewhere. She tore the gauze of his tent and injured him with her sharp claws.
It was now clear: she had lost her respect for humans and was a danger to visitors and members of the surrounding communities. A few hours later, on the morning of 1 June, she was put down.
The lioness was registered as Xpl-114 'Charly' and appeared in nature films such as the internationally award-winning documentary "Lions of the Skeleton Coast". Born in 2015 in the Hoanib estuary and later moving inland, she had developed into an experienced hunter who even sucessfully preyed on giraffes.
After the good rainfall in the interior of the country in March and April this year, much of the wildlife had migrated. Bad times for Xpl-114 'Charly'.
But it wasn't just her hunger that sealed Bernd Kebbel's and her fate, say experts. It was also her status as a tourist attraction.
More and more visitors. More and more vehicles, with less and less distance between them and wild animals like her. More and more disturbing noises. Despite guidelines and regular training for the drivers/guides of lodges and tour operators.
According to media reports, Kebbel's widow emphasised that she harboured no resentment and did not want Xpl-114 'Charly' to die. For her husband's funeral, she asked that people refrain from sending flowers and instead donate to the DLCT.
A detailed report on the incident can be found on The Namibian's website.
The report on the DLCT website provides extensive background information.
Sven-Eric Stender