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Tsavo Lions: Archival Collections

The three lions on display at The Field Museum were all notorious man-eaters during their lifetimes. Field Museum Scientist Bruce Patterson and his team study lions in current-day Tsavo (Kenya) to learn more about this mysterious animal.

Museum Archives

Accession Card Z #2577 and that the following items are contents within the accession record:

  • Accession Card: 2 African Lions (Man-eaters), February 5, 1925.
  • Historical File: Catalogues of collections Letters and Memoranda concerning Specimens: 2 African Lions (Man-eaters), February 5, 1925. 
  • Inter-Office Correspondence regarding appraisal and receipt of two lions. Letter from the Director, Clifford C. Gregg (Field Museum) to Director, R. Marlin Perkins, (Lincoln Park Zoo), October 30,1945 (see below). 
  • Letter from Colonel Patterson to D.C. Davies (Director, Field Museum) December 1, 1924. 
  • Letter from Colonel Patterson to D.C. Davies (Director, Field Museum) March 2, 1925. 
  • Letter from Colonel Patterson to Stanley Field (President, Field Museum) July 22,1925. 
  • Letter from the Director, D.C. Davies (Field Museum) to Hilton Thorp, Esq., Marshall Field and Company, December 4,1924.
  • Letter from the Director, D.C. Davies (Field Museum) to Colonel Patterson, February 9, 1925.
  • Letter from the Director, D.C. Davies (Field Museum) to Colonel Patterson, March 18, 1925. 
  • Western Union Telegram: D.C. Davies, Field Museum, from Colonel Patterson, December 6, 1924. 
  • Western Union Telegram: Colonel Patterson from D.C. Davies, Field Museum, December 6, 1924. 

Getty Images

A collection of high-resolution Field Museum images related to the Tsavo Lions is offered via Getty Images.

© The Field Museum, CSZ49222, Photographer Charles Carpenter.  Lt. Col. John H. Patterson in military uniform.