An 80-year-old woman tragically lost her life during a safari expedition at the Kafue National Park in Zambia over the weekend when a male elephant attacked the safari vehicle she was in.
The incident, captured in a video that circulated widely on social media, shows the large bull charging towards the vehicle, ultimately flipping it over onto its side despite efforts by the game ranger to ward off the attack. Wilderness Destinations communications group head, Tarryn Gibson, confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday, leaving another female guest injured as well.
The vehicle, carrying six guests and a guide from Lufupa Camp, was ambushed by the aggressive bull elephant during a routine game drive. While one guest was airlifted to a private medical facility in South Africa for treatment, the remaining individuals received care for minor injuries, with trauma counseling provided to all affected parties. Wilderness CEO Keith Vincent emphasized the guides' training and experience but acknowledged that the terrain obstructed the guide's ability to maneuver the vehicle to safety swiftly.
Upon notification, Kafue National Park management and relevant authorities, including the police and the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, initiated an investigation into the incident. Vincent extended condolences to the deceased's family and assured full cooperation with the investigative process. He urged restraint in sharing sensitive footage out of respect for those involved and announced ongoing support for impacted parties, including repatriation arrangements for the deceased to the United States.
