Chipata, Zambia — A tragic encounter with wildlife has left two tourists dead after a charging elephant attacked them while they were on safari. Easton Taylor, 68, from the United Kingdom, and Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, were part of a guided tour at South Luangwa National Park when the incident occurred on Thursday.
According to local authorities, the elephant, accompanied by a calf, charged the group unexpectedly. Tour guides attempted to intervene by firing warning shots, but their efforts proved futile. The women died on-site from their injuries, and the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The British Foreign Office has confirmed it is in touch with the family of the British victim and is working closely with Zambian officials. The local police chief, Robertson Mweemba, expressed sorrow over the incident, stating, “We are truly sorry that we have lost our visitors.”
The women had spent four days at Big Lagoon Camp, nearly 600 kilometers from Lusaka, before they were ambushed by the elephant as they were moving to another camp. Mweemba noted that both women were walking when the elephant charged from behind, illustrating the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters in the region.
Zambian authorities have repeatedly urged tourists to remain vigilant while observing wildlife, particularly when it comes to female elephants with calves, who are known to be highly protective. Mweemba commented on the challenges of managing wildlife interactions, saying, “It is very difficult to control the animals, especially as some tourists tend to feed them.”
This incident adds to a concerning trend; last year, two American tourists were killed in separate incidents involving elephants in Zambia. Both fatalities involved older visitors who were inside safari vehicles when they were attacked, highlighting the potential dangers posed by these majestic animals.
As tourism remains a significant part of Zambia’s economy, authorities are advocating for increased awareness and safety measures to ensure that visitors can appreciate the country’s wildlife without jeopardizing their safety.