Africa Wild

Kruger National Park elephant tramples tourist to death

SANParks urges the public to avoid sharing visuals after an elephant tragically killed a tourist near Malelane Gate in the KNP.
2 hours ago
Riot Hlatshwayo

SANParks announced that an elephant trampled a man to death in the Kruger National Park yesterday.

According to SANParks’ joint media statement issued by its head of communications, JP Louw, and the Kruger’s communications and marketing manager, Isaac Phaahla, the elephant charged and trampled a tourist near the Crocodile River at the Malelane Gate.

SANParks officials rushed to the scene to attend to the matter and provide support to the victim’s family.

The statement further said the investigation into this incident is ongoing.

“Due to the sensitivity of this matter, we appeal to the public to refrain from posting any pictures or videos of the incident and the victim,” read the statement. “SANParks’ board members and management extend their heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”

No further information was available at the time of publication.

https://www.citizen.co.za/network-news/ ... -to-death/

Police investigate after elephant kills elderly tourist at Malelane Gate

Police in Malelane are investigating an incident where Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed (59) from Mkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) was killed by an elephant outside the Kruger National Park when he tried to save his two grandchildren.


Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane says the two children, aged five and 11, were taking some pictures and videos of an elephant that was inside the Kruger National Park, not far from the Malelane gate, when the elephant came charging towards them. The 11-year-old boy managed to grab his sister and both ran towards their grandfather, who also took off as he realised that the elephant was charging.

Apparently, the boy fell down, and the elephant came towards him and attacked him. When Ammed went to assist, the elephant turned and trampled him before returning into the Kruger National Park.

Police and emergency services personnel were summoned to the scene, but Ammed had already succumbed to his injuries. The boy sustained some injuries to his leg. The little girl was reportedly unharmed.

https://mylowveld.net/police-investigat ... vShge98PBQ

Outside the park

Close to the gate one never knows At least his death was not in vain, he saved the kids.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, elephant attacks are becoming more frequent as human settlements and development continue to encroach on wildlife habitats across Africa.

It seems it was between the bridge and reception...

There is probably going to be quite a court case

Monday, January 27, 2025, Elephant Incident 2 of 2
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
UPDATE - ELEPHANT TRAMPLES A TOURIST
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that circumstances around the death of Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed, 59, from eMkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) are being investigated by the South African Police, however initial eyewitness accounts indicate that the family parked close to the Malelane reception area and the children ran past the bridge into the bush whereupon an individual elephant from a nearby herd charged them. The deceased rushed to assist the children and that is when he was chased and trampled by one of the animals. He succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

SANParks would like to reiterate that the incident is regrettable and unfortunate, but calls on the public to refrain from speculating, until the police have finalised their report and to allow the family to mourn their loved one in dignity.

On the day of the incident, the animal responsible for the death could not be identified as there were several of them in the vicinity and they immediately moved away while people were trying to save the life of the deceased
Management continues to offer heartfelt condolences to the Ammed family and wishes them strength in this difficult time.
....Ends.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) – Kruger National Park (KNP).
JP Louw: SANParks Head of Communications and Spokesperson.
Media enquiries:
Ike Phaahla: Manager: Communications and Marketing – KNP, Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell: 083 673 6974; or Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Most of these accidents are caused by people, including children, who do not know how to behave around wild animals.

Too much talk about "gentle giants"...

Visitor killed by elephant at Kruger, SANParks says
BY TIMESLIVE -
13 May 2025 - 07:44

A woman is believed to have been trampled to death by elephants at the Sirheni Bush Camp in the Kruger National Park at the weekend.

SANParks spokesperson JP Louw said she had wandered off from her accommodation on Saturday afternoon and "lost her life after encountering a herd of elephants close to the camp".


"The incident is being investigated by police. Out of respect for the family and to ensure adherence to protocols, SANParks will not offer commentary or further details about the incident until investigations are finalised."

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba told the Lowvelder the incident was reported at the Saselamani police station in the Collins Chabane municipality near the Kruger’s Punda Maria Gate.

Ledwaba said: "The information at our disposal is that a female tourist, 68, who was a visitor at a well-known lodge, was attacked and killed by elephants. The circumstances surrounding the incident are a subject for investigation."

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2025 ... arks-says/

Herd of elephants trample woman to death in Kruger National Park

Circumstances surrounding a tourist’s death in the Kruger Park are subject to police investigation.
23 hours ago Riot Hlatshwayo

An elderly tourist was trampled by a herd of elephants in the Kruger National Park on Saturday night.

The 68-year-old woman was a visitor at the Sirheni Bushveld Camp in the northern part of the Kruger. She reportedly woke up and walked out of the chalet she was sharing with her husband just before 23:00.


Security cameras are said to have captured the woman walking out of the camp gate and onto the road leading into the park.

The circumstances surrounding her death are uncertain and police investigations are ongoing.

SANParks’ spokesperson JP Louw confirmed the incident but declined to provide details, instead referring Lowvelder to the SAPS.

“SANParks has been attending to the unfortunate incident of a visitor who lost her life after encountering elephants. In compliance with the law, the matter has been handed over to the SAPS who must be approached for updates. Out of respect for the family and also appreciative of the law, SANParks will not provide commentary on the incident,” said Louw.

The Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the matter was reported at the Saselamani Police Station in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality near the Kruger’s Punda Maria Gate.

“The information at our disposal is that on at around 23:00 on May 10, a female tourist (68), who was a visitor at a well-known lodge, was attacked and killed by elephants. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still a subject for investigation,” said Ledwaba.

He said the victim’s identity would not be revealed until her next of kin could be notified of the incident.

It is also not clear whether the victim hailed from a foreign country or not.

https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/new ... stImbjbrgA