Elephants trample Spanish tourist to death in South Africa as he left a car to take photos

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A Spanish tourist was trampled to death by elephants in a South African game reserve after he left his vehicle and approached a herd to take photographs, police and local authorities said Tuesday.

The 43-year-old man was killed on Sunday in Pilanesberg National Park in the North West province, about 180 kilometers from Johannesburg, police said.

The elephant herd also included young calves. Wildlife experts often warn that elephants are particularly protective of their young and can react aggressively to a perceived threat.

Police said the man’s fiancée and two other women, all from Johannesburg, were also in the vehicle and were unharmed.

Piet Nel, deputy conservation officer for the North West Parks and Tourism Board, said Pilanesberg guests had been told they were not allowed to leave their vehicles while driving through the park and that they would have to sign a form indicating they understood the rules.

“Some people are not aware of the dangers in the parks,” said Nel. “We have to remember that we are in a wilderness.”

This year, two American tourists were killed by elephants in separate attacks in the southern African state of Zambia.

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AP Africa News: https://apnews.com/hub/africa