Current:Home > FinanceElephants trample tourist to death after he left fiancée in car to take photos in South Africa-LoTradeCoin
Elephants trample tourist to death after he left fiancée in car to take photos in South Africa
View Date:2024-12-23 23:09:36
Elephants trampled to death a Spanish tourist at a South African wildlife reserve after he left his vehicle and approached a herd to take photographs, police and local government authorities said Tuesday, marking at least the third such fatality on the continent in less than four months.
The 43-year-old man was killed on Sunday at Pilanesberg National Park in North West province, about 110 miles from Johannesburg, police said.
North West province's Parks and Tourism Board, which manages Pilanesberg, said an adult female elephant charged at the man.
"He was unfortunately not able to escape or evade the elephant, which was now joined by the whole herd, and was caught and trampled to death," it said.
"The elephants moved away immediately from the scene without any aggression towards the nearby vehicles and eventually disappeared into the bushes."
The elephant herd included young calves. Wildlife experts often warn that elephants are especially protective of their young and can react aggressively to a perceived threat.
Police said the man's fiancée and two other women, all from Johannesburg, were also in the vehicle and unharmed.
Piet Nel, acting chief conservation officer for the North West Parks and Tourism Board, said guests at Pilanesberg are told they are not allowed to leave their vehicles while driving through the park and must sign forms showing they understand the rules.
"In some cases, people are oblivious to the dangers in the parks," Nel said. "We must remember that you are entering a wild area."
Elephant attacks are not uncommon in the region. In 2021 a suspected poacher was killed by elephants in South Africa's world-famous Kruger National Park.
Elephants killed two American tourists this year in separate attacks in the southern African nation of Zambia. In June, Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, of New Mexico, was killed when an elephant that was part of a herd the tourists were watching attacked their vehicle. In April, Gail Mattson, a 79-year-old Minnesotan, was killed in an elephant attack in an incident that was captured in harrowing cellphone video.
AFP contributed to this report.
- In:
- Elephant
- South Africa
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
- Anthony Davis leads Team USA over Australia in Olympic exhibition
- Lightning-caused wildfire in an Arizona forest still uncontained, leads to some evacuation orders
- Trump documents case dismissed by federal judge
- 12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
- The Smile cancels European concert tour after Jonny Greenwood hospitalized for infection
- Nate Diaz suing co-promoter of Jorge Masvidal fight for $9 million
- New York’s Green Amendment Guarantees the Right to a ‘Healthful Environment.’ Activists Want the State to Enforce It
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Texas governor criticizes Houston energy as utility says power will be restored by Wednesday
Ranking
- Why Dolly Parton Is a Fan of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Little Love Affair
- Katy Perry Calls New Woman's World Song Satire After Facing Criticism
- Stranger Things Season 5's First Look Will Turn You Upside Down
- Sarah Michelle Gellar Details Decades-Long Bond With Shannen Doherty After Her Death
- Surfer Bethany Hamilton Makes Masked Singer Debut After 3-Year-Old Nephew’s Tragic Death
- Sports betting roundup: Pete Alonso has best odds to win MLB’s Home Run Derby on BetMGM Sportsbook
- Condos’ high-rising insurance premiums are a top issue in these legislative races
- As fall tuition bills drop, Gen Z's not ready to pay for college this year, survey says
Recommendation
-
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
-
Shannen Doherty's Charmed Costar Brian Krause Shares Insight Into Her Final Days
-
Sarah Michelle Gellar Details Decades-Long Bond With Shannen Doherty After Her Death
-
RNC Day 1: Here's what to expect as the RNC kicks off in Milwaukee after Trump assassination attempt
-
AIT Community Introduce
-
Can we vaccinate ourselves against misinformation? | The Excerpt
-
40 crews called to fight stubborn fire at Grand Rapids recycling center
-
Messi’s Copa America injury adds doubt for rest of 2024, 2026 World Cup