Latest news with #SouthLuangwa
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Tourists from New Zealand, UK killed by elephant on African safari
Two tourists have been killed by an elephant while on a walking safari in Zambia. The two women, from New Zealand and the UK, were named as Alison Jean Taylor, 67, and Easton Janet Taylor, 68. Police said they were with a guided safari group in South Luangwa National Park when a female elephant that was with a calf attacked them on Thursday, local time. The elephant was injured by gunshots fired at it in attempt to stop the attack. The women had been staying at the Big Lagoon Camp and were walking to another camp. 'They were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind,' local police chief Robertson Mweemba told BBC, adding that they 'both died on the spot'. 'We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors.' The walking group reportedly diverted when they spotted the elephant and calf but within a few minutes, the elephant charged at them at high speed, according to further details provided to the Zambia Daily Mail. A guide shouted 'elephant' but it was too late. Alison had 'a leg problem' and was caught first, Mr Mweemba told the publication. NZ Herald reported the victims were sisters. A neighbour described Alison as an 'amazing, amazing woman'. The Republic of Zambia Ministry of Tourism confirmed authorities were looking into the tragic incident. 'Zambia's national parks are globally renowned for offering exceptional and authentic wildlife experiences,' the ministry said in a statement to New Zealand's 1News. 'However, we wish to remind all visitors that these experiences take place in wilderness settings where wildlife behaves unpredictably. 'Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.' The New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa said it was providing consular assistance, while the British Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting a victim's family. It was only last year that two American tourists were killed by elephants in two separate attacks in Zambia. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64 was killed while on a safari drive in Livingstone in June, and Gail Mattson, 79, was killed during a game drive in Kafue National Park in March.
Russia Today
17 hours ago
- Russia Today
Elephant rampage kills tourists
Two tourists have died after an elephant attack during a safari in a national park in eastern Zambia, the southern African country's police have said. The incident happened on Thursday inside South Luangwa National Park, about 600km (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka, Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said in a statement published by local media. According to the statement, the tourists, Easton Janet Taylor, 68, from the UK and Alison Jean Taylor, 67, from New Zealand were part of a guided group when the female elephant that was with a calf charged at them. Safari guides accompanying the group had attempted to stop the elephant by firing shots, wounding the animal, but were unable to prevent the attack. Both elderly women died at the scene, the police commissioner stated. Mweemba said the tourists had been staying at Big Lagoon Camp and were walking to Takwela Camp, where they were expected to cross the Luangwa River by canoe. 'They saw it [the elephant] charging at high speed, and because Alison Jean Taylor had a leg problem, she was caught first,' the Zambia Today news agency quoted the police chief as saying. 'While the wildlife police officer fired warning shots, Easton Janet Taylor was caught as well,' he added. The incident is the latest of a series of fatal elephant encounters involving foreign tourists in Zambia. In March 2024, an 80-year-old American woman was killed when a bull elephant charged and overturned a safari vehicle in Kafue National Park. In June, a 64-year-old American tourist was trampled near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone while observing a herd from a parked vehicle. Zambia is home to some of the most diverse and abundant wildlife populations in Africa, including the 'Big Five' – lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. The landlocked country is endowed with 20 national parks and 36 Game Management Areas, covering roughly 30% of its total land area – one of the largest proportions dedicated to conservation on the continent, according to the Zambian Ministry of Tourism.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Elephant kills British woman and New Zealander on walking safari in Zambia
A British woman and another from New Zealand have been killed by an elephant during a walking safari in Zambia. The animal was wounded by gunshots as guides tried to stop it charging but both victims died at the scene. Police said the animal was with its calf and ran at the women in South Luangwa National Park. They were reportedly attacked from behind. Local authorities named the Briton as Easton Janet Taylor, 68, and the other woman as Alison Jean Taylor, 67. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in and are in contact with the local authorities." Female elephants can respond aggressively if they think there is a threat when they are with their young. Read more from Sky News: Two elderly American women also died last year in separate incidents in Zambia. Both attacks happened while they were on a safari vehicle.
Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
Elephant kills British woman and New Zealander on walking safari in Zambia
A British woman and another from New Zealand have been killed by an elephant during a walking safari in Zambia. The animal was wounded by gunshots as guides tried to stop it charging but both victims died at the scene. Police said the animal was with its calf and ran at the women in South Luangwa National Park. They were reportedly attacked from behind. Local authorities named the Briton as Easton Janet Taylor, 68, and the other woman as Alison Jean Taylor, 67. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Zambia and are in contact with the local authorities." Female elephants can respond aggressively if they think there is a threat when they are with their young.
CNN
a day ago
- CNN
Elephant kills two female tourists from the UK and New Zealand in Zambian national park
Two female tourists in Zambia were killed by an elephant Thursday while on a walking safari in a national park, police said. Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said the victims – 68-year-old Easton Janet Taylor from the United Kingdom and 67-year-old Alison Jean Taylor from New Zealand – were attacked by a female elephant that was with a calf. Safari guides who were with the group attempted to stop the elephant from charging at the women by firing shots at it, police said. The elephant was hit and wounded by the gunshots. The guides were unable to prevent the elephant's attack and both women died at the scene, police said. It happened at the South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, around 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka. Female elephants are very protective of their calves and can respond aggressively to what they perceive as threats. Last year, two American tourists were killed in separate encounters with elephants in different parts of Zambia. In both cases, the tourists were also elderly women and were on a safari vehicle when they were attacked.
