An incident at the Pilanesburg National Park, last weekend, has put a spotlight on the need to educate visitors, both local and international about animals in the wild.
Park Spokesperson, Deborah Mooketsi, said last Sunday morning, on the 7th July, a male Spanish citizen, entered the National Park at Bakgatla gate with three friends.
Not far from the gate, they came across a breeding herd of elephants that were feeding a distance from the road.
She says eye witnesses said the man decided to disembark from the vehicle and approach the elephants on foot, to take pictures.
Despite warnings from his fellow passengers, and occupants from two other vehicles that were at the sighting, he unfortunately did not heed their warnings.
An adult elephant cow charged at the man, who then ran from the elephant. He was unfortunately not able to escape or evade the elephant, which was now joined by the whole herd, and was caught and trampled to death.
The elephants moved away immediately from the scene without any aggression towards the nearby vehicles and eventually disappeared into the bushes.
She said “the dangerous and unpredictable nature of wild animals are always emphasized on the permits and booklets for sale in Pilanesberg. Park officials and Honorary Rangers are also patrolling the park and tourist roads when the park is open. Tourists are continuously educated on the importance of remaining in the safety of the vehicle, to respect distance between vehicles and animals and allow them first right of passage, and to only alight in specially designated areas. Rules and regulations of the park are printed on the entry permit which must be always adhered to, for the safety of guests and animals.”
Picture: iStock