As police and the National Park Authority announced on Tuesday, the 43-year-old man got out of his car in the Pilanesberg National Park northwest of Johannesburg to photograph elephants. One of the elephants attacked the man and trampled him to death.
According to reports, the Spaniard was traveling in a private car in the approximately 50,000 hectare national park on Sunday 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 elephants to take photos. “The elephants attacked and killed him,” said police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone.
“Tourists are not aware of the danger”
Pieter Nel, of the National Parks and Tourism Authority in the North West province, said the elephant herd’s lead cow became “agitated” when the man approached her. It is “normal” for elephants to “defend their young”. “Many tourists are not aware of the danger and do not know how dangerous these animals can be,” he added.
The other occupants of the car, all from Johannesburg, were unharmed, according to police. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
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 always remain seated in their cars and keep the windows closed.
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Source: Nachrichten
