Tsavo lions are a famous population of lions found in the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks in Kenya, best known for the historic "man-eaters of Tsavo." These were two male lions without manes that, in 1898, terrorized workers building the Kenya-Uganda Railway by attacking and killing dozens of them—estimates range from 35 to as many as 135 victims. The lions' unusual behavior is attributed to possible dental injuries that made hunting normal prey difficult, scarcity of natural prey, and scavenging on unburied corpses, which led them to develop a taste for human flesh. Unique features of Tsavo lions include the manelessness of males, which is an adaptation to the hot, arid climate of the region, and their generally larger and more muscular build compared to other African lions. These lions are also known for being highly territorial and more aggressive. The original man-eating Tsavo lions were males, but both male and female lions still inhabit the Tsavo parks today. Recent scientific studies involving DNA analysis of hairs trapped in the lions’ teeth confirmed that their prey included giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and humans, providing new insights into their diet and behavior. The remains of the original man-eaters are preserved at the Field Museum in Chicago. In summary, Tsavo lions are notable for their historical man-eating behavior, distinctive appearance without manes, larger size, aggressive behavior, and adaptation to the local climate and environment in Tsavo National Parks.
