Kieran Burke
Officials reported that the individual exited his vehicle within the boundaries of Pilanesberg National Park in the North West province. Guests are advised against stepping out of their vehicles.
A Spanish tourist was tragically killed by an elephant in Pilanesberg National Park, located in the North West Province of South Africa.
“Reports suggest that the man stopped the vehicle, alighted
and went closer to the elephants to take pictures,” police spokesman Sabata
Mokgwabone said on Tuesday.
What local authorities say happened
The North West Parks and Tourism Board said in a statement
that the Spanish national entered the park along with three others in a vehicle
they were traveling in and came upon a breeding herd of elephants.
“According to eyewitnesses, the man decided to alight from
the vehicle and approach the elephants on foot, taking pictures,” said acting
Chief Conservation Officer Pieter Nel.
“Despite warnings from his fellow passengers and occupants
from two other vehicles that were at the sighting, he unfortunately did not
heed their warnings.”
Nel said that he was charged by an adult elephant cow, but
was unable to get away. He was then trampled by the herd.
Thami Matshego, chief executive officer of the North West
Parks and Tourism Board, told South African news outlet, Netwerk24:
“Tourists are constantly reminded about the importance of
staying inside their vehicles when visiting the park, and to keep a good
distance between animals and their vehicles and give animals a chance to move
freely, and to only get out of vehicles in safely designated areas.”
The matter has been handed to the South African Police
Service for further investigation.
Pilanesberg National Park home to ‘Big Five’
Visitors to the Pilanesberg National Park can encounter any
of South Africa’s so-called “Big Five”—those being, lion, leopard, buffalo,
elephant and rhino.
The animals are wild and freely roam the park which warns
visitors not to leave vehicles once inside the park.
Deaths due to wild animals are not uncommon in the region.
In 2021 a suspected poacher was killed by elephants in South Africa’s world
famous Kruger National Park.
Each year dozens of people are killed and injured by wild
animals – mostly elephants – in neighboring Zimbabwe, according to local
authorities.