The Malelane police in Mpumalanga have launched an official investigation, after a 59-year-old man was trampled to death near the Crocodile River at the Kruger National Park on Saturday. The local tourist was trampled by an elephant.
According to the local SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the man and his family were taking photos and videos of animals near the Malelane gate. It’s believed that an elephant then suddenly started charging toward the family, who began to flee. A young boy, said to be the man’s grandson, fell and was attacked by the elephant. The man assisted the boy.
“It was during this time when the grandfather went to assist that the elephant turned and trampled on him before it left them and returned into the Kruger National Park premises,” Ndubane said.
The 59-year-old, identified as Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed, died on the scene in Kruger Park. The 11-year-old boy sustained injuries to his legs, while another child, a 5-year-old girl, was not harmed in the incident.
Ammed was reportedly laid on rest on Sunday.
SANParks says it is also investigating the events leading up to the incident.
“SANParks Board and Management extends their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased for the loss of their loved one.”
It further requested that the public refrain from sharing any images or video of the incident or victim.
Hippo attack
SANParks is also probing the circumstances that led to the death of a suspected poacher at the Kruger Park on 20 January. The body was found by a tourist along the road in the Pretoriuskop section of the Park that morning.
“According to initial unconfirmed reports, three individuals entered the Park illegally during the night with the intention to commit crime. It is at these times that they were attacked by a hippo and consequently one suspect sustained fatal injuries. The other two are suspected to have carried the body of their accomplice to where it was discovered this morning.”
The management of Kruger Park warned of the dangers of wild animals, as well as the legal ramifications, when entering the park illegally.
