A Spanish tourist was killed by an elephant after exiting his vehicle to take photos of a herd at a well-known South African park, officials reported on Tuesday.
The 43-year-old man was attacked on Sunday in Pilanesberg National Park, a popular destination about 200 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg.
According to police, the man was traveling with his fiancée and two other women when they encountered three elephants and their calves.
“Reports indicate the man stopped the vehicle, got out, and approached the elephants to take pictures,” said police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone.
Pieter Nel, the Park’s Chief Conservation Officer, stated that an adult female elephant charged the man.
“Unfortunately, he could not escape or evade the elephant, which was joined by the entire herd, and was trampled to death.”
Nel added that the elephants left the scene without showing aggression towards nearby vehicles and eventually disappeared into the bushes. He explained that it is normal for elephants to defend their young.
Elephant attacks are relatively common in the region.
In neighboring Zimbabwe, local authorities report that about 50 people were killed and 85 injured by wild animals, mostly elephants.
