A Spanish tourist was trampled to death by elephants after leaving his car to take photos at Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa.
The 43-year-old man, visiting with his fiancée and two others, approached a herd with calves when the matriarch charged. The man was unable to escape and was trampled by the herd.
Despite being taken to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. His companions, all Johannesburg residents, were unharmed. Authorities stress the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, such as remaining in vehicles and maintaining distance from wildlife.
South Africa’s national parks attract over a million visitors annually, and officials emphasize following safety precautions to prevent such tragedies. An investigation is underway.
Elephant attacks are not uncommon; similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including the death of an 80-year-old American woman in Zambia and a suspected poacher in Kruger National Park.
