A 43-year-old Spanish tourist from Zaragoza died on Sunday after being attacked by an elephant during a safari in Pilanesberg National Park, about 200 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa.
The victim, identified as Carlos Luna, was on a photographic safari with his fiancée and two other women, both South African nationals.
According to a Mogwase police spokesman, Luna had stopped his private vehicle, got out, and approached a herd of three elephants with calves to take photographs. Despite warnings from his fellow passengers and the occupants of nearby vehicles, he proceeded closer to the animals. At that moment, the elephants allegedly attacked him, resulting in his being crushed to death.
North West Police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that neither Luna’s partner nor his companions, who were all from Boksburg, Johannesburg, were injured in the incident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the elephants were initially some distance from the road. Pieter Nel, acting director of conservation for the North West Provincial Parks and Tourism Board, stated that an adult elephant charged at Luna, giving him no time to escape or avoid the animal. The entire herd joined the attack, leading to his tragic death. The elephants then moved away without attacking any nearby vehicles.
In a statement, Nel emphasized the importance of adhering to park regulations and understanding the dangers of interacting with wild animals. “We must remember that we are entering a wild area. It is a nature reserve in its entirety. And the animals there live in a natural habitat,” he said, extending his deepest condolences to Luna’s family. He reiterated that such incidents are rare and isolated.
Sources from Pilanesberg National Park stressed that these are wild animals, and approaching them can be seen as a threat or invasion of their territory. They reminded visitors of the serious consequences of not following safety guidelines.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Luna’s death and stated that the Embassy in Pretoria is in contact with his family to provide assistance.
This tragic incident follows a similar event last month in Zambia, where an American tourist was killed by an elephant during a safari. These incidents underscore the inherent risks of wildlife encounters and highlight the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in nature reserves.
Pilanesberg National Park, established in 1979, is situated in the crater of an ancient extinct volcano and spans 55,000 hectares, making it South Africa’s fourth-largest park. It is located about three hours’ drive from Johannesburg and is known for hosting the continent’s ‘big five’—African elephants, black rhinos, lions, leopards, and Cape buffalo.
