Renowned Namibian businessman mauled to death by lion
Authorities have launched a human-wildlife conflict investigation as officials gather details surrounding a fatal lion attack in Namibia’s Kunene region.
Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has confirmed that a prominent Namibian businessman was mauled to death by a lion on Friday.
Republikein, an Afrikaans newspaper published in Namibia, reported on Friday that Bernd Kebbel (59), the former owner of Off-road Centre, who is also known in desert lion research circles, was camping with his wife, Conny, and a group of family and friends in the dry Hoanib River, 4km from Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein area.
Kebbel apparently climbed down from his roof tent early on Friday morning and was attacked by a lioness, pulled down and bitten on his head and neck.
He succumbed to his wounds at the scene, according to Kunene regional crime investigations co-ordinator Eric Clay.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, says that although Kebbel’s friends were able to chase the lioness away, it was unfortunately too late, and he was already dead.
According to Namibian police spokesperson Inspector Immanuel Iiduwa, a case of human-animal conflict has been opened in the Kunene region.
Members of the Namibian Police Force were at the scene.
According to Eagle FM Namibian, the lioness was euthanised.
Friends of well-known businessman and nature lover Bernd Kebbel (59), who generously supported lion research, say it is both ironic and tragic that a desert-adapted lioness ended his life early on Friday morning. https://t.co/V3bUc56gmf pic.twitter.com/P7a3hfjdjp
— Namibian Sun (@namibiansun) June 2, 2025
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