Tragedy at Pilanesberg: Tourist Killed by Elephants
A Spanish tourist was tragically killed by an elephant at
South Africa's Pilanesberg National Park after he left his vehicle to take
photographs. The incident occurred on Sunday when the 43-year-old man
approached a herd, ignoring park rules and safety warnings.
Pilanesberg National Park, located approximately 110 miles
from Johannesburg, is managed by the North West province's Parks and Tourism
Board. According to the Board, an adult female elephant charged at the man.
He was unable to escape and was trampled to death as the
entire herd, including young calves, joined in the attack. The elephants moved
away immediately after the incident, showing no aggression towards nearby
vehicles before disappearing into the bush.
The tourist’s fiancée and two other women, all from
Johannesburg, remained in the vehicle and were unharmed. Piet Nel, acting chief
conservation officer for the North West Parks and Tourism Board, emphasized
that visitors are repeatedly warned not to leave their vehicles while in the
park. "We must remember that you are entering a wild area," Nel
stated, highlighting that some visitors fail to appreciate the inherent
dangers.
Elephant attacks are not uncommon in the region. In 2021,
elephants killed a suspected poacher in South Africa's Kruger National Park.
This year alone, two American tourists have been killed in separate incidents
in Zambia.
In June, Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, from New Mexico, was
attacked and killed by an elephant while watching a herd. In April, 79-year-old
Gail Mattson from Minnesota was also killed in an elephant attack, an incident
that was captured on cellphone video.
These tragedies underscore the importance of adhering to
safety regulations and respecting wildlife in their natural habitats.
