Africa Wild

Kruger official fires shots to scare elephant

2014-05-22 09:45

Mbombela – The Kruger National Park is investigating an incident where a SANParks staff member apparently fired shots in the air to scare an elephant away.

Beeld reports that two women from Pretoria were driving in the vicinity of Crocodile Bridge on Tuesday morning when they spotted an elephant close by.

They told the paper that they stopped at a reasonable distance to watch the pachyderm, when suddenly a vehicle pulled up behind them and proceeded to rev its engine.

The driver – who was wearing a SANParks uniform – then jumped out of the car and clapped his hands to try scare the animal off.

However, when the elephant didn’t budge, he proceeded to fire off three shots into the air.

The shots spooked the animal and it proceeded to charge the tourists’ vehicle, but fortunately turned away just before he reached them.

According to park spokesperson, Reynold Thakuli the incident has been confirmed and is currently under investigation.

He added that rangers are allowed to fire shots to scare off animals, but that there are strict rules:

"Rangers are allowed to scare away elephants who are blocking the road if there is a need. In the event that they are compelled to fire any shots to scare it away, they have to report to the section ranger of the region," he said.

Earlier this year, following a number of incidents between tourists and animals, SANParks called on visitors to the park to respect the animals and keep a safe distance.

Lot more info required!

New video shows Kruger official firing shots to scare elephant

“There’s a SANParks guy firing warning shots at an elephant to get it off the road just because he’s being impatient”, are the words heard in a video relating to a recent Kruger Elephant incident.

Earlier this week, Beeld reported that a SANParks ranger fired shots in the air, in an attempt to get an elephant to move out of the road to make way for tourists.

Watch the video here.

This comes after SANParks famously urged tourists to respect their animals following incidents earlier this year between tourists and animals.

Kruger Park spokesperson Reynold Thakuli said that rangers are allowed to fire shots to scare off animals, but that there are strict rules around this.

I wasn't quick enough with the camera. We were at a very nice elephant sighting between Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie when an impatient SANParks official began revving his engine to get the elephant to move. When it didn't, he got out of his car and walked towards the elephant clapping his hands. That didn't work either so he returned to his car, grabbed some sort of weapon and fired three warning shots which scared the elephant. Took this video immediately after. Man still standing in the road and elephant moving off. It wasn't a nice thing to see.
Description from Youtube

what the matter
they shot each time there is Elephant and cars........ on the road.........

the good way for Ellies to become more agressive

Yes a video was posted by someone and from what I can gather an enquiry has been held and the staff employee has been given a final warning! Here is the link that was posted http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/NewsDeta ... wsId=72743

Read on FB re the ranger firing shots to scare off the elephant that the ranger had "apparently" spoken to a few tourists in their cars about firing shots to see if it was ok?????? After some replies, BANG,BANG, BANG,. On investigation, it was found that he had broken Park Rules (sic) and was given a Final Written Warning. The discussion on the Yellow continues.

Mike Goss

SANParks ranger issued with warningToday's News
27 Tue, May 2014

A SANParks ranger has been issued with a final written warning after he fired shots in the air because an elephant was blocking the road.

Video footage of the incident was released to News24, after the incident was first reported in Beeld.

According to Reynold Thakhuli, SANParks GM: Media Liaison & Stakeholder Relations, the ranger stated in a report filed following the incident that the animal had blocked the road and there were about 20 vehicles coming from both sides.

“He stepped out and consulted with some of the tourists who had no problem with him chasing the elephant off the road,” said Thakhuli. The ranger fired three shots, which managed to get the animal out of the road.

However, Thakhuli said, while SANParks’ policy allowed for the firing of shots, particularly if lives were in danger, the ranger had been issued with a warning.

“The ranger in question has been issued with a final written warning as it is perceived his actions were unnecessary,” Thakhuli told Tourism Update.


http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/NewsDeta ... wsId=72743


Thanks, Penny and Mike!

Wonder what weapon was used?


Doesn't sound like an emergency?

The ranger got a final warning. I can’t comment on the ranger’s character, if this was his first offence for inappropriate action, or if I want him to lose his job over it, therefore think that a final warning is ok.

But, nowadays I don’t know if he was really given a final warning in writing, if it was investigated properly, if the ranger was actually just impatient as they seem to be at almost every sighting in the south, if there were 20 cars there, etc ,etc

Trust isn’t what it used to be

Truth isn't what it used to be!

But agreed, BC...

Richprins wrote:Truth isn't what it used to be!

That also RP hence trust