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TimesLIVE reports that an experienced elephant carer lost his life at the weekend in an unexpected attack on him by a 19-year-old female elephant named Limpopo. Israel Shambira, who had worked with elephants for 29 years, was killed at the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (Herd) reserve.
While the elephants were out in the bush on the reserve, Limpopo pushed down a tree shortly after 3pm. Three carers went to fetch additional staff to help clear the road. Shambira was seated nearby under a tree. Moments later, Limpopo unexpectedly turned her attention to Israel and fatally gored him. Herd said Shambira, a “cherished” senior member of the team, was one of the original carers who arrived with elephants rescued from Zimbabwe in 2002. Limpopo was born at the reserve.
Elephant manager Tigere Matipedza said: “We don’t know what went through Limpopo’s mind and why she did it. In the morning, everything in the bush was calm with no signs of agitation among the elephants.” Herd adviser Brett Mitchell, from the Elephant Reintegration Trust, has been called in to provide guidance. “He will remain on site in the coming days as we carefully assess the situation. No decisions will be taken hastily as the implications of the event profoundly affect carers and elephants,” the trust said.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE
- Lees ook, Geliefde bewaarder sterf ná olifant hom deurboor, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page