An Elephant cow killed two elderly ladies on a walking safari in South Luangwa. Sounds like the accompanying Game Scout could not deal with the situation and was probably not adequately armed.

https://halifax.citynews.ca/20...mbian-national-park/


Elephant kills 2 female tourists from the UK and New Zealand in Zambian national park


By The Associated Press

Posted Jul 3, 2025 12:48:32 PM. Last Updated Jul 3, 2025 01:02:14 PM.

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Two elderly 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 U.K. 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.

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Safari guides are not armed only Government scouts

Very sad.

It reminds me of a story I heard in Kenya where the Kenya Wildlife service showed up to handle a buffalo who was giving a farmer fits. They wounded the bull, which in turn killed the farmer as the KWS fellow scattered. A former PH from days of old got a call and showed up to settle the business.

Moral of the story; don't go walking around where there are wild animals and if you do then carry a DG stopper rifle with the experience to use it early and effectively.

Apparently they were not supposed to leave the vehicle!

Well, I have been on many walking safaris in both Kenya and South Africa, no hunting.

We always had an armed man with us, not a single one has ever hunted or shot an elephant.

In Kenya we had a one eyed game scout, he was carrying a 416 Rigby.

We agreed if things got into a situation he would give me the rifle.

Ultimately, one does face some danger, his or her choice, or don't go there.

Game scouts are hit and miss. I had one in Tanzania who had a very nice, albeit worn .458 Mauser, but she was deathly afraid of it, so she and it were useless. Another game scout in Tanzania where we were hunting buffalo was carrying a .30-06 rifle with no front sight. Well that's going to be helpful if it hits the fan. Most carry AK's which also doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. One carried a French light rifle after he had an accidental discharge with his AK, now that's confidence building. Count on yourself, your PH and the rifle you brought with you.

The game scout I had in Tanzania had one bullet. 458 win mag, not sure the make of rifle but it had some twine around for end holding it together

I hired two game scouts in Tanzania from the District Game Officer, a great fellow who walked with us for some time.

One rifle was a Type A Mauser 9.3x62 with nice German scope bases, the top half long gone. Oh, and a brazed extractor! I still have a spare I bought here if I should go back to that area.

The other had a M98 458WM with copper wire around stock to barrel.


One thing I learned in the bush there, you will never hear of the real Africa until you go and spend some time in a place.