Elephant attack on vehicle

[Sprocky]

2014-01-16

The South African National Parks (SANParks) management says it can understand the public outcry and anger over the Kruger Elephant attack and killing, but has asked the public to have confidence in the park's decision.

Watch the Kruger Elephant attack video here

Speaking from the Kruger National Park, the Managing Executive Abe Sibiya said, "The incident is a consequence of the park allowing people to enjoy the natural environment; unfortunately some do so in an irresponsible manner.

“While it is expected in an environment such as the Kruger National Park that human and animal conflict will always occur, it is also vitally important that members of the public, visiting various national parks, should always adhere to the rules.”

Sibiya said the decision to euthanize the animal was not taken lightly but based on the assessment from the park's experienced rangers who indicated that the animal was likely to attack tourist vehicles in the future.

He said to bring closure to the matter SANParks would need co-operation from the visitors that took the video.

“The law stipulates that evidence such as this should be accompanied by a written statement from eyewitnesses as the footage cannot be the only permissible evidence in order to sanction any fine against the alleged perpetrators,” Sibiya said.

News24 Travel contacted the reader who submitted the footage and he has declined to take the matter further.

“Tourists need to change their behavior when on self-game drives… we drive this message in our communication at check-in points, on our brochures and on the permits... and we appeal to our patrons to act in a responsible manner," Sibiya said.

[Twigga]

JO JO JO - EISH

I can fully understand the outcry on this incident which I am sure will be dragged on for months and months still

I hope we (the tourists) as well as Sanparks can learn something from this incident

If you are a bystander to such an event REPORT IMMEDIATELY!!!

And I bloody hope this two tourists will get banned from visiting Kruger EVER again! That's the least Sanparks can do to restore their reputation.

[Twigga]

“The law stipulates that evidence such as this should be accompanied by a written statement from eyewitnesses as the footage cannot be the only permissible evidence in order to sanction any fine against the alleged perpetrators,” Sibiya said.

News24 Travel contacted the reader who submitted the footage and he has declined to take the matter further"


Such a shame - I hope they will reconsider

[Lisbeth]

Original Source: News24

Shock footage has emerged of the most recent elephant attack in the Kruger National Park, which shows that two foreign tourists took unnecessary risk while on a self-drive safari.

Watch the video here:http://www.news24.com/Travel/Multimedia ... r-20140113

Tourists Sarah Brooks and Jans de Klerk, who refused to be interviewed at the time, had to be submitted to hospital after the elephant overturned their vehicle a few times, eventually pushing it off the road.

Brooks was injured when one of the elephant’s tusks ripped through the back of her upper thigh, while De Klerk was unharmed.

The News24 Travel Reader, who submitted the footage and asked to remain anonymous, explained that they had been following the elephant, driving behind the blue VW used by Brooks and De Klerk.

It soon became clear to the reader that the elephant was getting agitated and they decided to fall back and keep at a safe distance.

Warning signs given by elephants include flapping of the ears or a mock charge where the ears are fully spread with its head down.

In the video the elephant can be seen and heard doing both but at no point does the blue VW attempt to back away slowly. Instead it can be seen driving on and getting even closer to the elephant.

From the footage it appears they may have been trying to pass the elephant instead.

The reader admitted he wanted to warn Brooks and de Klerk that they were getting too close but could not risk putting anybody in danger or even hooting in case it further aggravated the elephant.

In a controversial move, the Kruger National Park management shot and killed the elephant to prevent it from hurting other people. The decision sparked an outcry on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

At the time Kruger National Park spokesperson William Mabasa said people should not be quick to criticise the decision. “Our rangers reported that the same elephant bull had been involved in previous fights with other dominant bulls since it has been in musth phase.”

But the video shows the final incident that caused the animal to be put down could possibly have been avoided.

Despite the video footage, Mabasa says the park has no regrets. He believes the animal would have been put down irrespective as it was “unusually aggressive”, with visitor safety coming first – especially since numbers in the park are high during peak season.

It seems as long as people continue to choose the bushveld as a means of rest and relaxation, there will be those who behave badly, putting themselves and the animals at risk.

[Twigga]

"Despite the video footage, Mabasa says the park has no regrets. He believes the animal would have been put down irrespective as it was “unusually aggressive”, with visitor safety coming first"


Haha - how convenient

[Dzombo]

I don't have more to add on this incident that hasn't been said already.

But I do support SANP decision to shoot the elephant. As distasteful and as sad as it may be.

There is a real possibility that the Elephant would have done this again.
And if someone would have been hurt, or possibly worse, then SANP would have been in a worse position because they didn't take action when they could have.

[Bushcraft]

There is a real possibility that the Elephant would have done this again.

Is there evidence of this and verified cases of this happening in the past

[Bushcraft]

Not sure if they are legally allowed to take the camera and check footage without the owners permission.

Lay a charge against the drivers of the blue VW and Subpoena the evidence to court and no statements are required, force them under oath to testify

[Twigga]

The Elephant is dead - let us leave it there, but what makes the smoke come out of me behind is the fact that this tourists needs to be charged for this irresponsible actions.

I get this attitude from some tourists currently:"Let us push our luck with some animals in some situations, let's see how far we can go, do not worry Sanparks will be there to save us in the end of the day!!!

Not sure if they are legally allowed to take the camera and check footage without the owners permission.

Lay a charge against the drivers of the blue VW and Subpoena the evidence to court and no statements are required, force them under oath to testify

Well said BC - If they were serious about this matter then the lack of a "statement" or the witnesses lack to co-operate would not stop them

[Bushcraft]

Check this link out if you believe that bush meat has no influence. I'm sorry, I lost trust after this incident, hence I want to know what happened to this elephant's "meat"

http://www.wild-photographer.com/?page_id=245