Heard on Tuesday that the well known guide Gavin Best was killed by an elephant at vic falls whist rescuing a child.

Gavin is best known for his pioneering work in elephant back safaris. Many a tourist to the falls has had an afternnon ride (and a sore ass the following day) on his elephants.

Will post more details as & when I hear them- but most phone lines in Harare and Bulawayo seem to be down!

Did one of "his" elephants got him?

From "Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary":

"Gavin and Shay Best

Gavin Best joined the Department of National Parks and Wildlife with the then Rhodesian government in 1978. He worked in a number of Parks whilst gaining vast amounts of experience in the conservation management field. Gavin’s career with National Parks concluded with him in the position as Warden of Sinamatella Camp in the Hwange National Park. Gavin married Shayelene Best in February 1988. He decided to join the White family business and left the National Parks towards the end of 1988.

Gavin and Shay worked at Imbabala Safari Camp for the next 12 years (Gavin both managed and guided at Imbabala). In 2000 Gavin and Shay moved to the Elephant Camp on Woodlands Estate on the outskirts of Victoria Falls and took over the management of the operation.

Since then, Gavin and Shay have been actively involved in caring for both the adult elephant involved in the Wild Horizons Elephant Back Safaris while at the same time caring for and hand rearing orphan elephant that find their way to the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary and Orphanage."

Sad news.

I hate to hear that. My wife and I met him in 2007 when we did the elephant rides. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

So sorry to hear about it. We almost did the elephant ride when we were there in August. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

My wife and daughters did the ele ride in Oct and had a great time. What a tragedy to strike someone dedicated to African wildlife.

Yes, a real shame. His poor family

Strength and prayers to his family...


Mike

Hate to hear this.

Gavin was a great guy - he took me to shoot my first elephant when he was Senior Ranger/Warden Sinamatella in Hwange N.P. in the early eighties.

Very very sad news

Ganyana would appreciate more info on this tragedy when you get some - thanks

Dear Friends.



So sorry to have to let you all know that our special friend Gavin was killed by one of his elephants this morning.

They we out walking with the elies this morning Gavin, Shay walking, little Jessie riding one of the elies and 2 clients.

The young elies were playing around as they always do..... then one squealed and Lundi (a cow elephant) thought her baby was in trouble...and attacked the elephant Jess was on........ Gav went to try and protect Jess and the elephant and then Lundi turned on him. They had to shoot three times to try and get her off him..... she was wounded by one bullet ( first 2 I think they tried to frighten her off) she then ran back to the stables....

Gavin was badly gored and died soon after.

I rode perhaps the same elephants this summer with my daughters. Obviously there is danger when around wild animals, particularly those who weigh thousands of pounds and which can uproot a 15" diameter tree like plucking a daisy. Yet, our small risk was well worth the reward... and I'll always be thankful to those who let me and my children be closer to God's creation than I'd ever have been otherwise.

In my simple mind, his sacrifice, while tragic, was far from meaningless. His work gave hundreds of folks great joy and an experience of a lifetime.

Godspeed him on his present journey.

Very sorry to hear this.

This is truly shocking and very sad news.

How many times do we hear of "tame" animals turning on their keepers with tragic results?

Over here in Oz, every year, there are similar instances with domestic dogs!

It's always very difficult to predict animal behaviour.