Horror as Tourists Watch Safari Guide get Killed by Lion While Protecting Group

A safari guide made the ultimate sacrifice when he threw himself in front of a charging lion to protect a group of tourists during a walking tour in Zimbabwe.

Quinn Swales, 40, was leading seven visitors on a photography excursion through Hwange National Park in 2015 when the group unexpectedly encountered a pride of lions.

Swales was an experienced guide who had walked through the park numerous times and had previously handled dangerous wildlife encounters, according to a statement released by the company that operated camps in the reserve.

The group was walking near the edge of an open area when an adult male lion stood up from its resting place and began moving toward them.

Despite the growing danger, Swales remained calm. He explained how the animal was likely to behave and ordered the tourists to stand behind him and remain completely still.

The group then deployed a “bear banger,” a device that creates a loud noise similar to a gunshot. The sound initially caused the lion to retreat.

However, the animal returned moments later and suddenly charged.

Swales placed himself directly between the lion and the tourists, taking the full force of the attack before he could fire his rifle.

“Quinn bore the full brunt of the charge and, unable to fire his rifle due to the speed of the attack, literally stopped the lion attacking his group by placing himself directly in harm’s way,” the company said.

The lion bit Swales on the shoulder and neck. The tourists screamed and created enough noise to frighten the animal away before calling for help and attempting to save their guide.

Sadly, Swales died from his injuries at the scene.

None of the tourists were physically injured, and Swales was credited with saving all seven members of the group.

Hwange National Park, one of Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserves, is home to huge elephant populations, lions and numerous other species native to Africa.

The park had already attracted worldwide attention earlier that same year following the killing of Cecil the lion.

Cecil, a 13-year-old male who was popular with visitors, was being tracked by Oxford University researchers when he was wounded with an arrow during a hunt. He was reportedly killed with a rifle roughly 10 hours later.

American trophy hunter Walter Palmer faced global outrage over the killing, which sparked protests and renewed international debate over trophy hunting.

Despite the two high-profile incidents, guided safari trips in Hwange are generally considered safe when visitors follow regulations and instructions from trained professionals.

Zimbabwe wildlife officials advise guests to maintain a safe distance from animals, follow park curfews, never feed wildlife and remain inside vehicles unless participating in an authorized walking tour.

Swales’ final actions remain a powerful example of a guide risking everything to protect the people placed in his care.