Spanish tourists trampled to death after getting too close to elephants for a photo
Jul 10, 2024
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday at Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa. A 43-year-old Spanish tourist lost his life after exiting his vehicle to photograph a herd of elephants, which trampled him to death.
Local authorities report that the tourist was visiting the park with three companions when they encountered the elephant herd, which included young calves. The man, who hasn’t been officially identified, reportedly exited the vehicle in spite of warnings from his fellow passengers. He wanted to get closer to the animals for pictures – and it ended tragically. According to Pieter Nel, a spokesman for the local tourism board, he “agitated” the matriarch of the herd, leading to elephants charging and attacking him. The injured man was reportedly rushed to a hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, The Citizen reports.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety precautions during wildlife safaris. Park officials emphasize that visitors must remain inside their vehicles and maintain a safe distance from the animals.
“You cannot simply get out of your vehicle and approach an animal,” a source told The Citizen. “Selfies or getting closer photo opportunities with an animal that may see you as a threat or invader of their territory can have dire consequences.”
Thami Matshego, chief executive officer of the North West Parks and Tourism Board, told 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.
Despite warnings from his fellow passengers and occupants from two other vehicles that were at the sighting, he [the deceased tourist] unfortunately did not heed their warnings.”
This unfortunate event follows similar incidents in recent months, as The Independent notes. In April, a 79-year-old tourist died, and four others were injured when an elephant overturned a safari vehicle in Zambia. We’ve reported many cases of people disturbing wild animals for photos, resulting in injuries and deaths of both humans and animals.
Let this serve as a reminder to prioritize safety during wildlife encounters. Always adhere to park regulations and maintain a respectful distance from these magnificent creatures. After all, telephoto lenses exist for a reason!
[via as The Independent]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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8 responses to “Spanish tourists trampled to death after getting too close to elephants for a photo”
+1
evolution in action
Why are some people’s attempts to protect life seen as acceptable, in cases involving animals, but seen as judgementally wrong in other cases involving human beings? Where do these standards come from? Shouldn’t all standards come from the same place, in order to ensure inclusion, diversity, and acceptance?
Oh, that’s easy: Because it is more worthwile to protect innocent animals from harm than stupid human beings who could and should have known better. It’s not that this was some kind of top-secret, hidden elephant reserve the tourist accidentially stumbled into and – despite taking all necessary precaution – was dragged out of his car and killed by an invisible elephant.
So laws and rules don’t really apply to “stupid people”?
The laws and rules I see violated here a numerous. Stay in vehicle for example. Keep a safe distance to wild animals. Follow officals’ advice. While I did neither find any information on https://pilanesbergnationalparks.com nor on https://www.pilanesbergnationalpark.org that specifically disallows leaving the vehicle, I’m tempted to believe what has been relayed by Thami Matshego, chief executive officer of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
What laws and regulations are you talking about? That the fellow passengers of that man should have risked their lives and rescue him from… What? A raging elefant despite having warned him multiple times?
Dude, I’m not sure what stuff you are smoking, but it must be good.
My point is people complain about laws regulating human behavior. Some are acceptable, while some are not. Human nature tends to rebel against being told what to do, so if people think laws are going to save people, maybe they need to smoke the stuff you say I’m smoking. Laws only help those willing to abide by them. “Getting along” with all people is impossible because there is no set standard of behavior. This guy got out of his car because he thought he was responsible, and the rules didn’t apply to him. Others say he is stupid. We are quick to judge his behavior, but what standard do we use to judge (that’s my question)? Aren’t we just as stupid as he was when it comes to picking and choosing which laws, rules, regulations to follow, and which ones we ignore? How can we expect people to behave without consistent accountability, having a set standard? How can we expect everyone to get along when people preach the message, “live and let live”, or in this case, “let die”?
In the U.S., Yellowstone National Park has all manner of hazards, not limited to death by boiling. The basic rule is to keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Yet almost daily reports of bison goring visitors who ignore the guidelines, published in umpteen languages on signage throughout the park, get too close to grizzly bears, elk, and bison, usually for a photo.
Almost all of them use cell phones as cameras. The primary phone camera has a wide angle of view. Most now have Zoom, but it is digital and also limited. To get the closeup, you have to be close. Closer than is safe. The animal knows it, feels unsafe, exhibits unmistakable signs if you know how to read them, but the human is oblivious. They are referred to as “tourons.” https://www.instagram.com/touronsofyellowstone/?hl=en
I have no idea how what happened to the Spanish victim in Pilanesberg transpired, but were I a betting man, my bet would be he had his cell phone out and was slowly, steadily advancing on the herd, which is predatory behavior, and an obvious threat to the elephants, especially the babies.
I am not blaming cell phones per se; “After all, telephoto lenses exist for a reason!”