A tourist from Spain was killed by an elephant in a national park in South Africa. Police said the 43-year-old man got out of his car in Pilanesberg National Park, northwest of Johannesburg, to photograph the herd. One of the animals attacked the man and trampled him to death.
According to the information, the Spaniard was driving through the approximately 50,000-hectare national park on Sunday in a private car with his fiancée and two other women.
When they saw four elephants, including a baby elephant, the man got out of the car and walked towards the herd to take pictures. “The elephants attacked him and killed him,” said police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone.
Tourists are unaware of danger
Pieter Nel, from the National Park and Tourism Authority in the North West province, said the leading cow of the elephant herd became “restless” as the man approached her. It is ‘normal’ for elephants to ‘defend their young’. “Many tourists are not aware of the danger and how dangerous these animals can be,” he added.
The other occupants of the car, all from Johannesburg, were unharmed, police said.
Elephant attacks are a recurring occurrence in South Africa. In 2021, a suspected poacher was trampled to death by elephants in the famous Kruger National Park. Visitors to the parks are therefore advised to remain in their cars at all times and to keep the windows closed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
