Latest news with #BigLagoonCamp
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- News.com.au
Tourists from New Zealand, UK killed by elephant on African safari
Two tourists have been killed by an elephant while on a walking safari in Zambia. The two women, from New Zealand and the UK, were named as Alison Jean Taylor, 67, and Easton Janet Taylor, 68. Police said they were with a guided safari group in South Luangwa National Park when a female elephant that was with a calf attacked them on Thursday, local time. The elephant was injured by gunshots fired at it in attempt to stop the attack. The women had been staying at the Big Lagoon Camp and were walking to another camp. 'They were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind,' local police chief Robertson Mweemba told BBC, adding that they 'both died on the spot'. 'We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors.' The walking group reportedly diverted when they spotted the elephant and calf but within a few minutes, the elephant charged at them at high speed, according to further details provided to the Zambia Daily Mail. A guide shouted 'elephant' but it was too late. Alison had 'a leg problem' and was caught first, Mr Mweemba told the publication. NZ Herald reported the victims were sisters. A neighbour described Alison as an 'amazing, amazing woman'. The Republic of Zambia Ministry of Tourism confirmed authorities were looking into the tragic incident. 'Zambia's national parks are globally renowned for offering exceptional and authentic wildlife experiences,' the ministry said in a statement to New Zealand's 1News. 'However, we wish to remind all visitors that these experiences take place in wilderness settings where wildlife behaves unpredictably. 'Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.' The New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa said it was providing consular assistance, while the British Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting a victim's family. It was only last year that two American tourists were killed by elephants in two separate attacks in Zambia. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64 was killed while on a safari drive in Livingstone in June, and Gail Mattson, 79, was killed during a game drive in Kafue National Park in March.
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Russia Today
Elephant rampage kills tourists
Two tourists have died after an elephant attack during a safari in a national park in eastern Zambia, the southern African country's police have said. The incident happened on Thursday inside South Luangwa National Park, about 600km (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka, Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said in a statement published by local media. According to the statement, the tourists, Easton Janet Taylor, 68, from the UK and Alison Jean Taylor, 67, from New Zealand were part of a guided group when the female elephant that was with a calf charged at them. Safari guides accompanying the group had attempted to stop the elephant by firing shots, wounding the animal, but were unable to prevent the attack. Both elderly women died at the scene, the police commissioner stated. Mweemba said the tourists had been staying at Big Lagoon Camp and were walking to Takwela Camp, where they were expected to cross the Luangwa River by canoe. 'They saw it [the elephant] charging at high speed, and because Alison Jean Taylor had a leg problem, she was caught first,' the Zambia Today news agency quoted the police chief as saying. 'While the wildlife police officer fired warning shots, Easton Janet Taylor was caught as well,' he added. The incident is the latest of a series of fatal elephant encounters involving foreign tourists in Zambia. In March 2024, an 80-year-old American woman was killed when a bull elephant charged and overturned a safari vehicle in Kafue National Park. In June, a 64-year-old American tourist was trampled near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone while observing a herd from a parked vehicle. Zambia is home to some of the most diverse and abundant wildlife populations in Africa, including the 'Big Five' – lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. The landlocked country is endowed with 20 national parks and 36 Game Management Areas, covering roughly 30% of its total land area – one of the largest proportions dedicated to conservation on the continent, according to the Zambian Ministry of Tourism.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Elephant kills British and New Zealand tourists in Zambia
Two female tourists, including a British pensioner, have been killed by a charging elephant while on safari in Zambia, police have told the BBC. The pair were attacked by a female elephant that was with a calf at the South Luangwa National Park, said local police chief Robertson Mweemba. The two tourists were trampled to death by the nursing elephant after efforts by tour guides to stop it by firing shots failed. Both women died at the scene, he said. The BBC has contacted the Foreign Office for comment. Mr Mweemba said the two women were part of a guided safari group who were walking in the park when the elephant charged towards them at high speed. The two tourists had stayed for four days at the Big Lagoon Camp, about 600 km (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka, where the attack happened. Female elephants are very protective of their calves and Zambian authorities have previously called on tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife around the country. Last year, two American tourists were killed in separate attacks by elephants in the southern African country. Both cases involved elderly tourists who were in a safari vehicle when they were attacked. 'I'm afraid that elephants will kill me' Elephant corridors - where locals take care to cross Zimbabwe's dilemma over deadly elephant attacks Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Zambia elephant attack kills British and New Zealand tourists
Two female tourists, including a British pensioner, have been killed by a charging elephant while on safari in Zambia, police have told the BBC. The pair were attacked by a female elephant that was with a calf at the South Luangwa National Park, said local police chief Robertson Mweemba. The two tourists were trampled to death by the nursing elephant after efforts by tour guides to stop it by firing shots failed. Both women died at the scene, he said. The BBC has contacted the Foreign Office for comment. Mr Mweemba said the two women were part of a guided safari group who were walking in the park when the elephant charged towards them at high speed. The two tourists had stayed for four days at the Big Lagoon Camp, about 600 km (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka, where the attack happened. Female elephants are very protective of their calves and Zambian authorities have previously called on tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife around the year, two American tourists were killed in separate attacks by elephants in the southern African country. Both cases involved elderly tourists who were in a safari vehicle when they were attacked. You may also be interested in: 'I'm afraid that elephants will kill me'Elephant corridors - where locals take care to crossZimbabwe's dilemma over deadly elephant attacks Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Russia Today
British and New Zealand tourists killed in elephant attack
A British national and a New Zealander have died after an elephant attacked them during a walking safari in a national park in eastern Zambia, the southern African country's police have said. The incident happened on Thursday inside South Luangwa National Park, about 600km (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka, Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said in a statement published by local media. According to the statement, the tourists, Easton Janet Taylor, 68, from the UK and Alison Jean Taylor, 67, from New Zealand were part of a guided group when the female elephant that was with a calf charged at them. Safari guides accompanying the group had attempted to stop the elephant by firing shots, wounding the animal, but were unable to prevent the attack. Both elderly women died at the scene, the police commissioner stated. Mweemba said the tourists had been staying at Big Lagoon Camp and were walking to Takwela Camp, where they were expected to cross the Luangwa River by canoe. 'They saw it [the elephant] charging at high speed, and because Alison Jean Taylor had a leg problem, she was caught first,' the Zambia Today news agency quoted the police chief as saying. 'While the wildlife police officer fired warning shots, Easton Janet Taylor was caught as well,' he added. The incident is the latest of a series of fatal elephant encounters involving foreign tourists in Zambia. In March 2024, an 80-year-old American woman was killed when a bull elephant charged and overturned a safari vehicle in Kafue National Park. In June, a 64-year-old American tourist was trampled near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone while observing a herd from a parked vehicle. Zambia is home to some of the most diverse and abundant wildlife populations in Africa, including the 'Big Five' – lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. The landlocked country is endowed with 20 national parks and 36 Game Management Areas, covering roughly 30% of its total land area – one of the largest proportions dedicated to conservation on the continent, according to the Zambian Ministry of Tourism.
