Two elderly female tourists tragically lost their lives in Zambia after being attacked by an elephant during a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park. The victims were identified as 68-year-old Easton Janet Taylor from the UK and 67-year-old Alison Jean Taylor from New Zealand.
Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba reported that the incident involved a female elephant likely protecting her calf. Safari guides present attempted to deter the elephant by firing shots, but unfortunately, they were unable to prevent the attack. Although the elephant sustained injuries from the gunfire, both women succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
This unfortunate event occurred approximately 600 kilometres from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. It’s worth noting that female elephants are known to be highly protective of their young and can react aggressively if they feel threatened.
In recent history, Zambia has witnessed similar incidents, including the deaths of two American tourists last year in separate encounters with elephants, both of whom were also elderly women on safari vehicles at the time of the attacks. Such incidents highlight the inherent dangers that can arise when interacting with wildlife in their natural habitats.