Kafue National Park: Elderly tourist dies after elephant attacks vehicle
An elderly American tourist died after an elephant attacked a wildlife viewing vehicle in the Kafue National Park in Zambia.
An elderly American tourist died after an elephant attacked a wildlife viewing vehicle in the Kafue National Park in Zambia.
A CHILLING VIDEO CAPTURED THE ELEPHANT STORMING THE VEHICLE
A chilling video showing the elephant darting down on the vehicle and eventually overturning it is currently widely circulating on social media.
According to a statement by the safari operator Wilderness, the incident occurred on Saturday, 30 March, during a game drive from the Lufapa camp.
THE TRAGIC EVENT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY
Wilderness confirms that a bull elephant tragically killed an 80-year-old female American guest during a game drive at its Kafue National Park destination in Zambia on Saturday.
Six people and a tour guide were in the vehicle. A South African hospital admitted another injured woman
THE 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS TRAGICALLY KILLED
“At around 09h30 on Saturday, the six guests were on the game drive when the bull elephant unexpectedly charged the vehicle.
“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly, in this instance, the terrain and vegetation were such that the guide’s route became blocked, and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,”- says Keith Vincent, Wilderness Chief Executive Officer.
‘THE GUIDE’S ROUTE BECAME BLOCKED AND HE COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH’
Vincent immediately called the Kafue National Park management for assistance and dispatched a helicopter to the scene.
One international client killed by elephant in Kafue National Park from lufupa Lodge during Safari. Two injured and being evacuated to Lusaka. Full details being awaited from the operator through the Senior Warden Kafue Region. Very unfortunate indeed. pic.twitter.com/4ntbyhec1G
— Gina (@ginnydmm) April 2, 2024
He added that given the nature of the incident, the police, the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, and other authorities are involved in investigating the matter.
A SOUTH AFRICAN HOSPITAL ADMITTED ANOTHER INJURED WOMAN
“This is a tragic event, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We also naturally support those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident.”- Vincent said.
Vincent furthermore said the park itself did not release photos or footage of the incident “out of respect for the deceased’s family and the other parties involved”.
‘WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY’
Vincent says the Zambian government and the US embassy in Lusaka will provide the necessary assistance to repatriate the victim’s body to the US.
The video quickly went viral after someone posted it on social media and YouTube.
The video depicts a large, visibly angry elephant bull standing in the middle of the road.
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