Rogue elephant tramples - by Francis Xoagub 22 August 2011

From The New Era


OPUWO - A rogue elephant trampled a tourist to death last week while a boy is in critical condition after he was attacked by the same animal in two separate incidents at Purros Community Conservancy in the Sesfontein Constituency.

Purros Conservancy is home to a variety of game species such as giraffe and elephants and is home to the indigenous Himba people in Kunene Region.

The names of the dead tourist and the injured local have not yet been released.

“I can confirm that one tourist was killed and a boy was injured and has been transferred to the Intermediate Hospital in Oshakati from Opuwo. We are investigating to see what actually went wrong,” confirmed the DTA Opuwo Constituency Councillor, Kazeongere Tjeudo.

A visibly shaken Tjeudo said the tourist and his wife were among couples on a safari to the Purros Conservancy when tragedy struck.

One of the elephants went berserk and attacked the tourist on Thursday morning, trampling him to death.

The jumbo stood guard at the scene after “burying” the body.
Elephants usually “bury’’ their victims and are known to stand “guard’’, monitoring the scene from a distance for a couple of days, the councillor said.

He added that the incidents would be investigated as a teams from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) had been dispatched to the area.

He added that after the investigation and assessment of the situation the elephants could be hunted and shot.

“These elephants are surely in retaliatory mood and they may continue to pose a danger to communities in the area,” Tjeudo said.

He offered his condolences to the tourist’s family and also warned that wild animals should be treated with caution, especially elephants.

He cautioned visitors to villages of Okonjota, Orundu and Okatjiuru in the Kunene Region not to move around at night and to keep their children indoors at all times.
The Director of the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) John Kasaona confirmed to New Era that a boy was attacked when he and his friend were walking home.

He was attacked and severely injured and was only recovered the next morning.
“I am not sure what actually happened but it is possible that the elephant could have charged so fast and suddenly that there was no chance for the boy to react,” said Kasaona.

He is reported to be in a serious condition.

According to Kasaona there are no fences around Purros Camp and it is close to a dry riverbed where elephants roam freely and walk through the camp.

National News
22.08.2011
Elephant kills tourist
By: NICO SMIT

SPANISH tourist Jordi Blasi became the latest victim of an elephant attack last week which cost him his life.
The incident occurred at the Purros campsite in the Kaokoveld area on Thursday last week at approximately 17h00. Blasi and his wife were returning to their campsite, when he parked their vehicle too close to the campsite reception to pay for their accommodation.
The forty-seven year old Blasi then walked along a bush path through thick undergrowth where he came across two elephants. The Namibian is told that the elephants did not stomp on Blasi, but grabbed him with their trunks and threw him into the air no less than three times.
A source close to the incident said that a different group of tourists attempted to take photos of the elephants earlier in the day, which may have angered the animals. Apparently neither Blasi nor the elephants were aware of each other until it was too late.
Blasi allegedly fell close to their rental vehicle the third time he was thrown into the air, and The Namibian is told that the elephants approached the vehicle, coming relatively close to it, and Blasi's wife had to hide underneath a blanket in the car.
After some time, the elephants moved away and when other tourists inspected Blasi's body, they found that he was already dead. The source said that Blasi had been totally innocent in the incident and he had not provoked the animals.
The Barcelona resident's body and his wife were transported to Windhoek on Friday, and arrangements have been made for the body to be transported back to Spain.

Kathi,
It would be rather nice if when posting these great current stories, you also posted a hot link so we could forward easily.
Thanks!

http://allafrica.com/stories/201108221366.html


Tom,

Links to the stories.

I see a discount ele hunt if someone is lucky enough to be at the right place and time. I hunted 3 bulls within about 70 to 100 kilometers from Opuwo. Almost into Angola. Similar type of situaton. Got a very good deal and had a great hunt. Ivory pretty even and although shorter than some places very heavy and good circumference at the lip. High 50's. Not sure why but that area has had some very agressive ele's. I am talking general area,not the specific one mentioned in the story.

quote:

I am talking general area,not the specific one mentioned in the story.

And what is his name?

Im sorry Will I dont know what you are asking for. Please explain.

http://www.newera.com.na/artic...d=40278&title=Killer elephant declared ‘problem animal’


Killer elephant declared 'problem animal'

Thanks!!