Individual hairs reveal prey of 19th century ‘Tsavo man-eater’ lions

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Two male lions became infamous for terrorizing and eating humans in 1898 during the construction of a railway bridge over the Tsavo River in Kenya. Now, an innovative genetic analysis of hairs stuck in the sockets of their broken teeth has revealed new insights into the prey the so-called Tsavo man-eaters once hunted.

The harrowing true story of the lions, who invaded tents in the camp at night and dragged victims into the undergrowth, has inspired films and books over ...