12/06/2025
Tribute
Having had the privilege to live in the desert for many years while following and filming the Desert lions, we need to take a moment to pay tribute to our dear friend Bernd and beloved lioness Charlie, who both lost their lives in a terrible tragedy…
Charlie and her sisters Alpha and Bravo were born in November 2015, and we followed them as they grew up in the heart of the Hoanib valley. Those of you who have watched our latest film “Lions of the Skeleton Coast” know what the three sisters went through in life, having become orphaned at ten months of age and surviving against all odds in one of the world’s harshest environments. Their remarkable story is one of hope, resilience, and perseverance. A story that Bernd Kebbel closely followed, having known Charlie and her sisters since they were cubs…
When Alpha and Bravo continued their journey of discovery to the coast, Charlie went inland and joined up with her aunt “Xpl-69”, who taught her to hunt giraffe and survive in the Hoanib valley. When her aunt died a few years later, Charlie was left to fend for herself and despite times of drought and hardship she survived, all on her own. Through the years she became one of the most seen and known Desert lions, and was celebrated as the “Queen of the Hoanib”. Her habituation to humans - who she encountered often both in vehicles and on foot -, seemed beautiful and innocent, allowing us all an intimate insight in her life, and everyone loved her… But when a predator loses all fear for humans the invisible boundary between them fades, and with the challenging times that Charlie was facing, it somehow ended in an unimaginable tragedy, when she took Bernd’s life…
Bernd had known Charlie well. Together with his wife and children, family and friends he often went camping in Namibia’s wildest places, the Hoanib valley being his favourite. He cared so much for nature, respected it, looked after it, and he understood it… With his love for the Desert lions and his longtime support for the Desert Lion Trust whereby he and his family also sponsored male lion Xpl-81 “Kebbel”, it is very hard to come to terms with Bernd’s tragic fate...
It is our belief that we as humans have a place in nature, just as much as any animal. We all belong here together, we are all connected. In todays’ world many of us have lost that connection with nature, but Bernd never did. He embraced our natural world the way few of us can. But being part of nature means we become part of a world in which we are vulnerable, just like any other living being. The wild remains unpredictable. And Bernd knew this…
This was a terrible accident. One from which Charlie could sadly also not be saved. Understandably, it was decided by the officials to put her down as Charlie was never going to be the same and she continued to pose a real threat to humans.
In a way it is ironic how closely connected Bernd and Charlie were, their lives intertwined as they both had an incredible impact on Desert lion conservation. And therefore we hope that this tragedy does not change the way people see this remarkable story of Charlie and her sisters - the three orphaned Desert lions that have brought the world so much hope with their journey of survival. And it doesn’t change the beautiful, powerful and extraordinary lion Charlie was, as seen in this short tribute video…
We can only thank our dear friend Bernd for his incredible support to the Desert lions over the years. And we are grateful for the beautiful memories of spending time with Bernd and his wonderful family in the Hoanib, and for their unwavering support and friendship throughout the years…
Our heartfelt condolences to Bernd’s wife Conny and his children Heidi and Dieter, and to his family and friends. In Bernd’s name they continue to support the Desert Lion Trust despite their immense loss…
This is in loving memory of Bernd and Charlie…
