Spanish tourist trampled to death by elephants in South Africa

A Spanish tourist was trampled to death by elephants after getting out of his car to take photos in a South African park near Johannesburg, authorities announced on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old man was attacked on Sunday morning in the Pilanesberg National Park, which is very busy because its approximately 50,000 hectares of wildlife are located just 200 kilometers from the South African economic capital, according to park officials.

“The victim, his fiancée and two other women were driving their own car in the reserve when they saw three elephants and three baby elephants,” police said.

“Initial evidence suggests that the man stopped the vehicle, got out and approached the elephants to take photos,” said police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone.

“Many tourists are unaware of the dangers and don’t realize how dangerous these animals can be,” lamented Pieter Nel, head of conservation at the province’s Parks and Tourism Office.