Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter—
HE defended six tourists from being attacked by an angry pride of lions during an early morning photographic safari, but professional guide Quin Terrence Swales is now dead after one of the predators slit his throat. The big cat christened Nxaha, like Cecil the Lion before it was killed by American hunter Walter Palmer last month, is being monitored for research by Oxford University.

Nxaha is an IsiNdebele name given to a male animal that would have lost one of its testes due to castration and is usually viewed as difficult to tame. The attack on Swales, 40, of Victoria Falls took place on Monday morning at Camp Hwange, situated in Sinamatela area in the Hwange National Park. The camp is run by Dave Carson, a well-known professional hunter with over 20 years of guiding experience in the Hwange National Park. Swales was employed by Zambezi Heritage in Victoria Falls.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said: “I can confirm that we received a report about a male adult aged 40 years who was a tour guide employed by Zambezi Heritage who was attacked by a lion called Nxaha on August 24 at 6.45AM.” She said Swales was leading six tourists when they came across a pride of six lions. He and his clients allegedly climbed out of their vehicle to track the pride and were eventually attacked by the lion.

“The lion was used for research by Oxford University. Swales was leading six tourists and they spotted six lions under a tree. Two cubs moved towards them and behaved friendly. A female lion charged towards tourists but the guide shouted at the lion and it retreated,” she said.

Snr Assist Comm Charamba said Nxaha later suddenly pounced on the unsuspecting tour guide and killed him.

“Later a lion went straight to the guide and attacked him on the neck. He screamed and the lion went away. The clients discovered that he had a deep cut on the neck and chest and was bleeding profusely,” said the police spokesperson.

She said a helicopter was called but when it arrived Swales was already dead. Snr Assist Comm Charamba urged people to be wary of wild animals. “As police we want to urge those who visit the national parks to be cautious as animals are dangerous. They should not have disembarked from the vehicle but it’s sad that a life was lost in the process,” she said.

Swales’ body was ferried to Victoria Falls General Hospital mortuary on the same day he died. National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya Moyo said: “Investigations reveal that on August 24, Quin who was the lead guide, was on a walking safari with six foreign guests. He spotted fresh lion spoor and decided to track a pride of lions consisting two females, two cubs and two males. One of the lions known as Nxaha was collared, and jumped out at Quin and all efforts to save him were in vain.”

Camp Hwange on its facebook page posted: “It is with deep regret and great sadness that we are able to confirm the death of Quin Swales, a Camp Hwange Professional Guide, who was fatally mauled by a male lion whilst out on a walking safari this morning.

“Quin, a fully qualified and experienced Zimbabwe professional guide, was leading a group of Camp Hwange guests on a photographic walking safari. He was tracking lions early this morning, when a male lion unexpectedly charged. We can confirm that Quin did everything he could to successfully protect his guests and ensure their safety, and that no guests were injured in the incident. Unfortunately, Quin passed away as result of the injuries sustained at the scene. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to all of Quin’s family.”