Portuguese man trampled. Sadly the North West Parks & Tourism Board has confirmed the incident at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve yesterday at around 13h00.
According to eyewitnesses, two people were outside their vehicle on a self-drive safari.
A media statement says: “It is not clear if they were aware that they were in the middle of a family herd of elephants, but they were warned to get back into their vehicle by other people nearby who saw the elephants”
An adult elephant suddenly attack the man who sustained serious injuries. He rushed to the local hospital where he was stabilised and later transferred to a hospital in Pretoria.
This was posted on social media by Heinrich Neumeyer
Hi there everyone. Yes unfortunately there was an incident today at roughly 12:50 this afternoon just outside of Mankwe Hide. The respective foreign gentlemen parked his car in the parking area, climbed out of his vehicle and walked towards the road (Letsha Drive) to take a photo of some elephants where he was surprised by another nearby elephant. He got trampled very badly. Luckily another vehicle was present who distracted the elephant and eventually the elephant left the gentleman and ran off. The gentleman was very badly injured. His intestines were out of his body. A couple of vehicles in the area witnessed this horrific ordeal. I will never forget the shock on their faces. It was extremely traumatic. The gentleman was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transferred to a hospital in Pretoria. He is apparently stable. The Park Management will make a statement from their side as well I'm sure. It's a very very unfortunate incident and I hope people will realise that they can not take chances with ANY animal or climb out of their vehicles in the Park. We see some extremely stupid things being done by local and foreign guests alike. It's not a zoo. The animals are not tame. That close up photo or close experience is not worth your life. May I just congratulate the Parksboard who immediately sent out someone when I reported it. It was dealt with VERY professionally. They even visited the gentleman in the hospital.
Insightful article! Is is however unfortunate that it refers to the possibility of being hijacked when visiting AENP. There are safe and maintained routes to Addo that ensures a safe trip i.e: taking the N10 leading to Paterson and then the R342 that will take on a scenic route with the chances of seeing wild life whilst travelling to the AENP main gate.
That is true. I trust that foreign tourists are properly advised about these options that you mention. Perhaps we should advertise these options more widely in places where visitors are like to see them.
Portuguese man trampled. Sadly the North West Parks & Tourism Board has confirmed the incident at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve yesterday at around 13h00.
According to eyewitnesses, two people were outside their vehicle on a self-drive safari.
A media statement says: “It is not clear if they were aware that they were in the middle of a family herd of elephants, but they were warned to get back into their vehicle by other people nearby who saw the elephants”
An adult elephant suddenly attack the man who sustained serious injuries. He rushed to the local hospital where he was stabilised and later transferred to a hospital in Pretoria.
This was posted on social media by Heinrich Neumeyer
Hi there everyone. Yes unfortunately there was an incident today at roughly 12:50 this afternoon just outside of Mankwe Hide. The respective foreign gentlemen parked his car in the parking area, climbed out of his vehicle and walked towards the road (Letsha Drive) to take a photo of some elephants where he was surprised by another nearby elephant. He got trampled very badly. Luckily another vehicle was present who distracted the elephant and eventually the elephant left the gentleman and ran off. The gentleman was very badly injured. His intestines were out of his body. A couple of vehicles in the area witnessed this horrific ordeal. I will never forget the shock on their faces. It was extremely traumatic. The gentleman was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transferred to a hospital in Pretoria. He is apparently stable. The Park Management will make a statement from their side as well I'm sure. It's a very very unfortunate incident and I hope people will realise that they can not take chances with ANY animal or climb out of their vehicles in the Park. We see some extremely stupid things being done by local and foreign guests alike. It's not a zoo. The animals are not tame. That close up photo or close experience is not worth your life. May I just congratulate the Parksboard who immediately sent out someone when I reported it. It was dealt with VERY professionally. They even visited the gentleman in the hospital.
Sad but very interesting!
Insightful article! Is is however unfortunate that it refers to the possibility of being hijacked when visiting AENP. There are safe and maintained routes to Addo that ensures a safe trip i.e: taking the N10 leading to Paterson and then the R342 that will take on a scenic route with the chances of seeing wild life whilst travelling to the AENP main gate.
That is true. I trust that foreign tourists are properly advised about these options that you mention. Perhaps we should advertise these options more widely in places where visitors are like to see them.