A tourist tragically lost their life after being trampled by an elephant near Crocodile River at Malelane Gate in Kruger National Park earlier today.
SANParks said this after Kruger elephant tramples tourist to death
South African National Parks (SANParks) officials confirmed the incident, which occurred under circumstances that are now under investigation.
In a statement, SANParks expressed condolences to the victim’s family and urged the public to respect their privacy by refraining from sharing images or videos of the incident.
SANParks officials were on-site to provide support to the bereaved family and examine the events leading up to the attack.
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The organisation emphasised that elephants are generally not hostile towards humans unless provoked or agitated. Investigators are likely to focus on whether the tourist may have acted in a way that triggered the elephant’s aggressive behaviour.
“Due to the sensitivity of this matter, we appeal to the public to refrain from posting any pictures or videos of the incident and victim,” SANParks noted.
This tragic event has drawn comparisons to a similar incident in July 2024, when a Spanish tourist was fatally trampled in Pilanesberg National Park.
The tourist had exited his vehicle to take photographs on foot, prompting an adult female elephant to charge.
Despite attempts to flee, he was caught and trampled by the elephant, followed by its herd.
Witnesses noted that the elephants showed no aggression toward other nearby vehicles and quickly disappeared into the bushes afterwards.
Elephants are known for their intelligence and complex social structures but are not typically aggressive unless they feel threatened or stressed.
Factors such as close human proximity, perceived danger, or past trauma can trigger defensive behaviour.
The recent Nongoma incident in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where residents skinned an elephant killed during a botched rescue operation, has reignited discussions about human-elephant conflict.
Wildlife authorities had destroyed the elephant after it was deemed a safety threat, sparking chaotic scenes as locals harvested meat from the carcass.
While some have speculated about whether elephants exhibit telepathic or vengeful behaviour, wildlife experts caution against anthropomorphising these animals.
Instead, they point to stress, habitat loss, and human interference as key factors influencing elephant behaviour.
