You have to post the article too...
The famous tragic element that occurs here is the reversal of fortunes. Although he was once high and mighty, in the end he remains to suffer until the end of his life because of everything he's done.
The people in the bus may well be reporters, because of the pictures, and I doubt they are students or scientists, as then they would respect the animals, but they could also be hunters because of their coldness towards the lions.
Sorry about how late I was (3 years!!!), but just trying to answer all I can