Elephant Overturns Too Close Car
By Stephen Messenger
Late last month, wildlife authorities in South Africa reported that a pair of British tourists on safari in Kruger National Park were injured after their car was overturned by an overly-aggressive bull elephant. Newly released footage (caution: some might find this video upsetting) of the incident shows the lead vehicle driving dangerously close to the wild animal, continuing to approach even after it turned to stand its ground. The camera operator, who has chosen to remain unnamed, tells News24 that the elephant was displaying clear signs of agitation, lowering its head and flapping its ears in a defensive posture.
One of the occupants was gored in the thigh during the attack while the other received only minor injuries.
Sadly, despite what appears to be a natural response on the part of the elephant, park rangers decided to later shoot the animal, there on the grounds of a reserve established to protect it from human threats.