Tourist killed by elephants at Pilanesberg Game Reserve

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Police in the North West are investigating the death of a 43-year-old male tourist who was killed by an elephant at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in Rustenburg on Sunday.

North West Parks and Tourism Board says the tourist and other three people were travelling in a vehicle when they came across a breeding herd of elephants.

The man allegedly got out of the vehicle and approached the elephants on foot to take pictures.

An elephant then charged at the man and trampled him to death.

North West Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone elaborates, “According to information, the man was with his fiancée and two other females in their own vehicle. They allegedly spotted three elephants and three calves. Reports suggest that the man stopped the vehicle, alighted and went closer to the elephants to take pictures. The elephants allegedly attacked and killed him. The victim’s companions, who were all from Boksburg, Johannesburg, were not harmed. The victim is reportedly from Spain.”