In a shocking incident, two female tourists, a British pensioner and a visitor from New Zealand, lost their lives after being attacked by a charging elephant in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Local police chief Robertson Mweemba reported that the attack occurred when the women were walking with a guided safari group not far from the Big Lagoon Camp, where they had stayed for four days.
Witnesses stated that the female elephant, accompanied by her calf, suddenly charged at the group, resulting in tragedy. Despite tour guides’ attempts to halt the elephant by firing warning shots, the situation quickly escalated, leading to the women being trampled to death. Medical authorities confirmed both fatalities at the scene.
Mweemba emphasized the naturally protective behavior of female elephants regarding their young, and Zambian authorities have previously advised tourists to exercise caution when observing wildlife. Unfortunately, this incident marks the second time in just over a year that tourists have been killed by elephant attacks in Zambia, following the deaths of two American tourists in separate incidents involving safari vehicles.
Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts are urged to remain vigilant and heed safety guidelines when engaging in safari activities in the region. The tragic event has sparked discussions about the balance between wildlife conservation and tourist safety, particularly in areas where human-wildlife interactions frequently occur.
