An 80-year-old American woman lost her life after an “aggressive” elephant charged at a vehicle during a safari drive on Saturday in Zambia’s Kafue National Park.
According to reports, a video circulating online captured the horrifying moment when the large elephant flipped the car, carrying six occupants, multiple times. Keith Vincent, CEO of the safari group, explained that the vehicle was effectively “blocked” by the terrain, leaving it unable to manoeuvre away from the charging elephant’s path.
The elderly woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, succumbed to her injuries. Officials confirmed that her remains would be repatriated to the United States in the coming days.
Additionally, four other guests sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving trauma counselling, while one woman was transported to a hospital in South Africa for further treatment.
Authorities, including the police and the department of national parks and wildlife, have initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.
Vincent, reacting to the incident, said, “This is tragic and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident.”
Vincent noted that the vehicle had come to a halt due to being trapped by “terrain and vegetation,” leaving it vulnerable to the elephant’s aggression.
The incident has reignited concerns about the increasing elephant populations in neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana, where similar incidents have been reported in recent years. Zimbabwe, in particular, has recorded deadly elephant attacks, further highlighting the risks associated with wildlife encounters.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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