Spanish tourist in South Africa killed by elephant.
On Tuesday, authorities reported that a Spanish visitor was fatally trampled by an elephant
when he exited his vehicle to capture images of a small group at a well-known South African park.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the Pilanesberg National Park,
located approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg, as confirmed by park officials.
According to police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone, the man, along with his fiancée and two other women,
were driving their own vehicle in the reserve when they noticed three elephants and three calves.
The man reportedly stopped the vehicle, got out, and approached the elephants to take photographs.
Pieter Nel, the chief conservation officer at the Parks and Tourism Board in the North West province,
stated that the leader of the elephant herd reportedly launched an attack and fatally injured the
tourist when she became "agitated" uponhis approach
Elephants typically exhibit protective behavior towards their young, he further stated.
The man informed AFP that many tourists are unaware of the risks and fail to recognize the
potential danger posed by these animals.
According to Nel and Mokgwabone, the individual was of Spanish origin.
The police stated that his companions, who were all from Johannesburg,
were uninjured, and they have initiated an investigation.
Elephant incidents are frequently reported in the area. Last year,
a suspected poacher was fatally attacked by elephants in the renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Additionally, local authorities in Zimbabwe reported that 50 individuals lost their lives
and 85 were injured by wild animals, predominantly elephants. Visitors touring Pilanesberg
and other parks in South Africa are advised to keep their windows shut and refrain
from exiting their vehicles.On Tuesday, authorities reported that a Spanish visitor was
fatally trampled by an elephant when he exited his vehicle to capture images of a small group at a well-known
South African park. The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the Pilanesberg National Park,
located approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg, as confirmed by park officials.
According to police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone, the man, along with his fiancée and two other women,
were driving their own vehicle in the reserve when they noticed three elephants and three calves.
The man reportedly stopped the vehicle, got out, and approached the elephants to take photographs.
Pieter Nel, the chief conservation officer at the Parks and Tourism Board in the North West province,
stated that the leader of the elephant herd reportedly launched an attack and fatally
injured the tourist when she became "agitated" upon his approach.