Zambia (BN24) – Two female tourists died after being trampled by a charging elephant during a guided safari in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, local authorities confirmed Friday.
Easton Taylor, 68, from the United Kingdom and Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand were killed by a female elephant protecting her calf, according to local police chief Robertson Mweemba. Tour guides attempted to stop the attack by firing warning shots but were unsuccessful in preventing the fatal encounter.
Both women died at the scene after the nursing elephant charged their safari group at high speed during a walking tour Thursday. The tourists had spent four days at the Big Lagoon Camp, located approximately 600 kilometers from Zambia’s capital Lusaka, where the deadly incident occurred.
“They were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind. We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors,” Mweemba said. “They both died on the spot.”
The British Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting the family of the deceased British woman and coordinating with local Zambian authorities. Officials have not disclosed whether the two victims were related despite sharing the same surname.
The fatal attack highlights the inherent dangers of wildlife tourism in Africa, where female elephants demonstrate fierce protective instincts around their offspring. Zambian authorities have repeatedly urged tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife throughout the country.
“It is very difficult to control the animals and tourists like feeding them,” Mweemba explained, referencing ongoing challenges in managing human-wildlife interactions during safari experiences.
The incident marks the latest in a series of deadly elephant encounters in southern Africa. Two American tourists were killed in separate elephant attacks in Zambia last year, both involving elderly visitors who were in safari vehicles when the attacks occurred.
South Luangwa National Park, one of Zambia’s premier wildlife destinations, hosts thousands of international visitors annually seeking close encounters with African elephants, lions and other wildlife species. The park’s walking safari programs allow tourists to experience wildlife on foot under professional guide supervision, though such activities carry inherent risks.
Wildlife experts consistently warn that female elephants with calves represent one of the most dangerous situations tourists can encounter during African safaris, as maternal instincts drive aggressive defensive behavior when the animals perceive threats to their young.
