A safari guide was mauled to death Monday morning while protecting a walking safari tour he was leading in Hwange National Park, the Zimbabwe park that was home to Cecil the Lion, which was killed in an illegal hunt last month.
Quinn Swales, 40, a fully qualified and experienced Zimbabwean professional guide, was leading a group of tourists on a photographic safari when a male lion unexpectedly charged the group, according to Camp Hwange Zimbabwe, the company for which he worked.
?We can confirm that Quinn did everything he could to successfully protect his guests and ensure their safety, and that no guests were injured in the incident,? Camp Hwange Zimbabwe announced Monday on Facebook. ?Unfortunately, Quinn passed away this morning as result of the injuries sustained at the scene.?
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Swales was from Trelawney in northern Zimbabwe, according to his Facebook page.
News 24 of South Africa reported that the last photo Swales posted on Facebook, on August 10, was that of the famed Cecil the lion, the park?s most famous and beloved lion that was killed by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer after it was allegedly lured out of Hwange National Park.
The death of Cecil the lion caused outrage throughout the world, and now the death of a safari guide adds another layer of grief.
?Quinn?s actions in successfully protecting the lives of his guests is heroic and reminiscent of his outstanding guiding skills, experience and training,? Shelley Cox of African Bush Camps said, according to Daily Mail. ?It is certainly a tragedy and a loss to the guiding fraternity and tourism industry.?
According to News 24, Camp Hwange says on its website that all its guides were ?handpicked to the highest standards,? are ?experienced in all the disciplines of walking in the wilds of Zimbabwe,? and chosen with ?your safety being their primary concern.?
Certainly Swales lived up to those high standards.
Lion kills safari guide in home of Cecil the lion | GrindTV.com