Tuesday, July 9, 2024 -A Spanish tourist was crushed to death by an angry herd of elephants after he got out of his car to take photographs in a South African game reserve.
The tourist was driving around with
his fiancee and two other visitors around the Pilanesberg National Park on
Sunday, July 7, when he stopped and got out of the car.
Despite warnings from his three fellow
passengers to get back into the car the tourist, aged 43, said he wanted to get
close-ups of the six elephants.
According to Mail Online, a huge
3.5-ton adult female cow protecting the young members of the herd charged at
the man and she was joined by the other two adult bulls who also attacked.
The screaming Spaniard was racing
back with his camera to safety through the bush to his friends in the car but
was overtaken by the chasing herd who knocked him down and trampled him to death.
It was gathered that the man was on
holiday from Spain with his fiancee and was with two of her South African
friends from Johannesburg when the tragedy happened on Sunday morning.
A North-West Parks & Tourism
Board spokesman said: 'The elephants moved away immediately from the scene
without any aggression towards the nearby vehicles and disappeared in the
bushes.
'The guest was a male Spanish citizen
who had entered Bakgatia Gate with three friends and not far from the gate had
come across a breeding herd of elephants feeding a distance from the road.
'According to eyewitnesses the man decided
to alight from the vehicle and approach the elephants on foot taking pictures.
'Despite warnings from his fellow
passengers and occupants from two other vehicles that were at the sighting he
unfortunately did not heed the warnings.
'An adult elephant charged at the man
who then ran from the elephant.
'He was unfortunately not able to
escape or evade the elephant which was now joined by the whole herd. He was
caught and trampled to de@th.
'Park officials were alerted and
immediately rushed to the scene to aid the affected persons, secure the scene
and assist with the investigation.
'Statements by witnesses who observed
the whole incident further suggest the female elephant that charged and
attacked might have done so to protect the herd and young ones.
'The case has been handed over to the
police for further investigation,' said Pieter Nel, Acting Chief Conservation
Officer for the NW Parks & Tourism Board.
He further stressed that all tourists
are warned not to get out of their cars and that information is printed on
their entry tickets which is not just for the safety of the guests but also the
animals.
Mr. Nel added: 'The Board is very
saddened by this tragic accident and would like to express their sincere
condolences to the deceased's next of kin and friends'.
A park ranger speaking on condition of
anonymity said: 'It was a very stupid thing to do and the tourist was literally
shouted at to get back in his car but wanted to get photographs of the herd.
'He had walked too far away off the
road to be able to make it back to the car in time when he charged. His friends
were in a hysterical state and needed immediate expert counselling.'There was
not much left to identify. The victim had been trampled into the ground. Sadly
despite all the warnings people still get out to take photos but most are lucky
enough to get away with it.
'The herd were not to blame and were
acting entirely as normal when they felt a threat to their young. Indeed they
passed right past the car with the three of his friends in when they left' he
said.
North West Police spokesperson
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said:'According to information received the man was
with his fiancée and two other females in their own vehicle.
'They allegedly spotted three
elephants and three calves. Reports suggest that the man stopped the vehicle,
alighted and went closer to the elephants to take pictures.
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