It is no news that Africa is home to many of the world’s famous wildlife, collectively known as the Fauna of Africa. African wildlife is one of the major pride of the continent, a major tourist attraction to people all over the world. Annually, safaris in Africa rake in billions of dollars, a major boost in the economy. These safaris indeed attract huge, as with everything that has an advantage it also has its negative effect on our wildlife. While we all dream to see these animals in real life, it might never occur to us that our presence is upsets them.
Over the years, we’ve heard and watched the actions of the animals to some of the tourists, most times horrifying. Here is a collection of some of the stories:
Elephant Trampling
Location: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
One man was walking near Tarangire National Park in Tanzania in September 2013 when he encountered a herd of about 50 elephants. When the massive animals began chasing the man and his companions, he reportedly tripped and was trampled to death. Though walking safaris are not allowed inside the park because they are deemed too dangerous, the group was just outside the park boundaries.
“If you suddenly meet an elephant, it tries to defend itself,” said Stephen Qoli, a warden at the park. “If you bump into an elephant, it will charge. If they are not very close to you, they normally don’t charge. It all depends on how close they are to you. You cannot predict, sometimes, their behavior.”
Giraffe Encounter
Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Although giraffes are often referred to as the “gentle giants” of Africa, they can sometimes behave badly. In December 2018, a giraffe kicked a local South African farm worker in the stomach, which ultimately resulted in his death. The man was feeding the animals at a safari lodge when the incident occurred.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that giraffe kicks are so strong they can be fatal, as giraffes regularly kick in self-defense when being hunted by lions. Giraffes become prey the moment they are born, so baby giraffes can stand within roughly 30 minutes of being born, which is truly impressive. Even as newborns, giraffes as massive—calves stand as high as six feet tall and weigh around 220 pounds.
World’s Only Known White Giraffe Fitted With Tracking Device
Lion Attack
Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Stories from childhood have always portrayed the lion as a violet animal so it comes as no surprise. Stories of tragedies arise from the commercialization of the big cats, an elderly man was attacked, dragged like a rag doll, and mauled by a large male lion while tourists watched helplessly, some screaming in terror.
The man, believed to be the owner of the Marakele Predator Park near Thabazimbi in Limpopo Province, South Africa, the lion was subsequently shot and killed.
In the video footage, the elderly man is seen entering the lion enclosure and approaching the lion to inspect a lion scat, before turning his back on the lion and running back to the gate. The lion caught the man and dragged him away into dense shrubs a few meters away. What sounds like gun or bear banger shots are heard, as some of the staff distracted the lion.
Lioness Maul
Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Seems the big cats are not ones to be toyed with, they are here for the violence. A well-known South African conservationist, recently lost his life after he was mauled by two white lions as he was taking them for a walk, in August 2020.
A lioness was said to have become aggressive to the other before turning her attention to the conservationist. According to the wife, who followed in a car, she tried to distract the lions but it was too late.
Mathew West ran a popular safari lodge, Lion Tree Top Lodge, in Limpopo province.
The lionesses were tranquilized following the attack and have been taken to an endangered species center.
The lionesses reportedly killed a man working on a neighboring property after they broke out of the enclosure in 2017.
Giraffe
Location: South Africa
South African filmmaker Carlos Carvalho was killed by a habituated giraffe while filming at the Glen Afric Country Lodge near Pretoria in South Africa. Mr. Carvalho was filming and standing in front of the giraffe when the giraffe swung its head at Carvalho, knocking him over. He was taken to Netcare Milpark Hospital, where he died from head injuries.
Gerald the giraffe is a popular attraction with guests, and Glen Afric owner Richard Brooker says that the giraffe will remain at the lodge as “He did nothing wrong”.
The Extinction Of Sharks In African Water
Elephant
Location: Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
Well, not all wildlife encounter end badly, some goes further to show how naive and curious these animals can be.
In August 2014, a field guide found himself stuck behind an elephant who wanted to spend a little quality time with a parked car. The guide captured some hilarious photos and videos of the elephant rubbing on the VW Polo at Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa. Meanwhile, the two people inside the vehicle were as expected, horrified.
The elephant was most likely in musth, which occurs when testosterone levels skyrocket. He was likely just scratching an itch or trying to remove a parasite, though the vehicle was a little worse for wear after he was done with it—the elephant reportedly blew all four tires, broke the chassis, smashed the windows, and dented the roof.