Zimbabwe: Jumbo Kills Two British Tourists

The Herald (Harare)
March 26, 2007
Bulawayo

TWO British tourists were killed and another seriously injured when an elephant charged at them while on a safari hunt in the Hwange National Park on Saturday, police said yesterday.

The Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, confirmed the incident.
Africa 2007

"I can confirm that two people were killed and one was injured. We are investigating to see if there was an act of negligence on the part of the tour guides. The company is assisting the police with investigations," he said.

The injured tourist was rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals where he is receiving treatment.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Matabeleland North provincial warden, Mr Tawanda Gotosa, would not provide details, only saying the two were killed when an elephant charged at them.

"They were in the company of a tour guide. I do not know yet how they were killed as I am still gathering more information," he said.

Mr Gotosa said although tour guides are supposed to move around with weapons to protect tourists, the incident could have happened so fast that the guide could not take action. "I am not sure what action was taken by the guide but it is possible that the elephant could have charged so fast and suddenly that there was no chance for the guide to react," he said.

Mr Gotosa said his department had launched an investigation into the attack.

The names of the deceased had not been released by last night.

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