Elephants trample Spanish tourists to death in national park

Safari in South Africa - Elephants trample Spanish tourists to death in national park

In a National Park in South Africa, a Spanish tourist was killed by elephants. According to the police and the National Park authority, the 43-year-old man had gotten out of his private car on Tuesday in the Pilanesberg National Park northwest of Johannesburg to photograph elephants. An elephant cow attacked the man and trampled him to death with her herd.

The Man Wanted to Photograph the Elephants

The Spanish man was reportedly traveling with his fiancée and two other women in the approximately 50,000 hectare large National Park on Sunday. When they spotted a small herd of three cow elephants and three calves, the man got out of the car and approached the elephants to take photos. "The elephants attacked and killed him," said the police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone.

The National Park and Tourism Authority of the North West Province stated that a cow elephant had first attacked the man. Unfortunately, he had not been able to escape or avoid the cow elephant and her approaching herd. The animals had eventually "trampled him to death." Afterwards, the elephants had withdrawn without paying attention to other vehicles and had disappeared into the bush.

Many Tourists Underestimate the Danger

The game warden of the authority, Pieter Nel, stated that the herd leader had become agitated when the man approached them. It was "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 passengers in the car, all from Johannesburg, remained unharmed according to police reports. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.

In South Africa, there are frequent elephant attacks. In 2021, a poacher was trampled to death by elephants in the famous Kruger National Park. Visitors to the parks are advised to always remain in their cars and keep their windows closed.

1. Despite the incident in the Pilanesberg National Park, the Spanish tourist's fiancée and the two other women from Johannesburg decided to continue their safari journey in South Africa.
2. The news of the Spanish man's death spread across Spain, sparking concerns among Spanish travelers planning trips to South African national parks, including the Kruger National Park.
3. Local women in Johannesburg organized a peaceful protest near the Spanish embassy, demanding stricter safety measures for tourists visiting South African national parks, particularly when it comes to encounters with wild elephants.
4. In response to the increase in elephant attacks in South Africa, the government announced plans to train more rangers and park officials to better manage human-elephant interactions and educate tourists about the animals' behavior and potential dangers.
5. As a tribute to the Spanish tourist, a local artist painted a mural in Johannesburg, depicting an elephant standing next to a car, symbolizing the unfortunate event and reminding tourists to respect wildlife while exploring South Africa's national parks.

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