Check this out:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=57b_1176192902

Thanks for posting that. I couldn't see anything unique between the elephants that bluffed and the one that charged.The bluffs could have just as easy turned into a charge and charge might have switch to bluff mode, with no indication that I could see.

They were obviously with a guide. Did he not know that they had already stressed the elephants in the water and that they should be nowhere near the agitated herd when they emerged? I don't live among them, but you can bet I would have been holding off in deep water.

This is the first I have heard of this incident. Where did it happen and who was killed?

Friends-

Great footage, thanks for posting the link!!

I'll be the first to say that I don't know much about Elephant behavior and who's bluffing and who's ready to charge.

It seems to me however, that the folks in the boat did cross one irrefutable law of nature that put them in Harm's way, so to speak, and they crowded a small group with small calves.

In my best Texas accent, "Rule number one, never get between a momma and their babies."

They were told to leave but they did not get the message.I guess the guide thought he knew something no one else did.

You have to be cautious out there.

The africans are often very poor and will do anything for tips and salary, maybe even put themselves and there customers in danger. (not referring to trained PH's of course). What do you think they have to weigh when the customer wants to get closer to the Elephant? "they probably won't really get charged, I really need a tip and a thrill would add to it, if I say no and they complain that would be really bad"

You really need to exercise judgement out there and not leave your safety to the locals.

One reason why I refused to do the "lion encounter" at Vic Falls. Have a lion sit on my lap... I just don't think so!

any "guide" stupid enough to pull up on shore after haressing a breeding herd in the water pretty much deserves such an outcome- that was one of the dumbest things i have ever seen!!

pretty damn stupid I'd say. No one in their right mind would do this. Have you ever been to Yellowstone and watched the dumb tourists w/ the buffalo,bears etc.?

That's my point. The guide allowed it, the tourist died.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
any "guide" stupid enough to pull up on shore after haressing a breeding herd in the water pretty much deserves such an outcome- that was one of the dumbest things i have ever seen!!

Agreed.

The guide was responsible.What would the tourists know.I wouldn't laugh at their injuries or death because they were caught in an accident or because they were stupid.

Best-
Locksley,R

quote:

Originally posted by RobinOLocksley:
The guide was responsible.What would the tourists know.I wouldn't laugh at their injuries or death because they were caught in an accident or because they were stupid.

Best-
Locksley,R

What would the tourists know? Well it would only take half a brain to know that a elephant can very easily kill you, especially a momma elephant. Although I hate it that one of them got killed.

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
any "guide" stupid enough to pull up on shore after haressing a breeding herd in the water pretty much deserves such an outcome- that was one of the dumbest things i have ever seen!!

Agreed.

What they said. Does anyone know which one was killed?

winner of the darwin award

If there was a licensed guide/PH in charge and he survived I would assume he's out of the business ... permanently. I've never hunted dangerous game, but seeing the posturing as the elephants with calves came ashore would've definitely at least backpaddled for deeper water to be perceived as less of a threat. Shoot, living in a rural area I taught my daughters when they got past toddler stage how to handle themselves when near wild animals, especially if there were young animals around! Blame Walt Disney - Bambi, Dumbo and all those other cuddly wild animals created fertile ground for PETA & Friends of Animals, etc. to plant the seeds of stupidity!

Sad story, and needless loss of life, Joe(hobbyguymaine)

I did an internet search to see if I could find out any information on this incident, and came up empty. I found about 30 stories on the British man killed on his honeymoon in Kenya last year, several stories on the Indian tourist killed in Uganda, Multible stories on other elephant attacks, but none that even remotely resembled the circumstances depicted in this film.