Two female tourists — one from the United Kingdom and the other from New Zealand — have been trampled to death by a charging elephant during a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, eastern Zambia, local authorities have confirmed.
According to police spokesperson Robertson Mweemba, the tragic incident involved a female elephant with a calf, which charged at a guided group of tourists. Despite attempts by tour guides to scare off the animal by firing warning shots, the elephant managed to reach the two women and fatally injured them. Both victims died at the scene.
One of the women was a British pensioner. The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.
The victims had reportedly been staying at Big Lagoon Camp, located about 600 kilometers (370 miles) from Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. They had been at the camp for four days prior to the fatal encounter.
“Female elephants are especially aggressive when they are nursing calves,” Mr. Mweemba noted, adding that this incident highlights the inherent risks of wildlife tourism and the need for caution, particularly when walking in close proximity to animals in the wild.
Zambian authorities have repeatedly urged both tourists and tour operators to maintain safe distances and strictly follow safety protocols when engaging in wildlife activities.
This tragedy follows similar incidents in Zambia last year, when two American tourists were killed in separate elephant attacks while on safari. In both of those cases, the victims were elderly and inside safari vehicles when the attacks occurred.
South Luangwa National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and walking safaris, is one of Zambia’s most visited wildlife destinations. The park is home to large populations of elephants, lions, leopards, and other iconic African species.
