Kruger National Park Elephant Kills Tourist Defending Grandkids’ Lives, SA Horrified

• The Kruger National Park was a site of tragedy for a tourist who went on safari in South Africa recently 
• South African National Parks (SANParks) recently confirmed a life-ending accident that happened with an elephant 
• Social media users shared their thoughts after seeing details about how one tourist lost his life in the wild animal attack

A tourist who visited Kruger National Park at Malelane Gate did not come out alive. The SANParks released the details about the accident. 

The accident involved a visitor who some netizens allege was protecting his loved one in an elephant attack. Details about the elephant attack mortified South Africans. 

Kruger National Park elephant attacks 

A wild elephant in the Kruger National Park took the life of a tourist. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw said that the elephant attack happened near Crocodile River where the elephant charged and trampled the person. Mpumalanga police later confirmed that the victim was Shaik Adam Shabir Anmed, who was protecting his grandkids aged five and 11.

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Where did Kruger National Park elephant attack victim?

Kruger National Park answered questions about whether Shabir and his grandchildren were attacked while on foot in an elephant-safe area where they were allowed to get out of their vehicle. Kruger's media specialist, Isaac Paahla, explained to Briefly News that the game reserve is not at liberty to clarify as it is a "subject of investigation." He said:

"We don’t want to jeopardise the police work. They are currently interviewing people who witnessed the incident plus staff. It is prudent to await the conclusion of their investigations."

Since then, Briefly News received a media release update from Kruger National Park on 27 January 2025 stating that Shaikh and his family parked at the Malelane reception area when the kids ran off. They described initial eyewitness accounts:

"The children ran past the bridge [at Malelane reception area] into the bush whereupon an individual elephant from a nearby herd charged them."

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What to do if an elephant attacks 

In the case of an elephant attack, WildlifeSOS advises that people should move from the area while making loud noises or beating a drum, which can discourage the elephant from charging.

According to SANParks, elephants are generally peaceful but females can be aggressive if they have calves while males are aggressive in the breeding season (usually at times of high rainfall). Any elephant will attack if they are sick, injured or threatened. 

SA reacts to Kruger National Park elephant attack

Online users expressed their condolences for the life lost at Kruger National Park. Many discussed the danger of being around wild animals. 

@TalentNyonie wrote:

"Tragic."

@NtateWilliams commented:

"I'll forever not mess with wild animals. Actually animals as a whole."

@Constitution_94 said:

"Warning signs are everywhere when you enter the two gates in Malelani. Don't come out of your vehicle."

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@D_RejectedStone added:

"This is sad, condolences to the family."

@mncube remarked:

"An African safari really is just hopping in the back of an open truck and hoping that none of the dangerous animals woke up on the wrong side of the bed that day."

@Da_MaK_G advised:

"Do not, I repeat, do not be anywhere near elephants during the marula season or if they have small calves near them."

4 More animal attacks

• People enjoying the outdoors often run into trouble; Briefly News reported on a woman whose time in the ocean was disturbed by an angry stingray.
• One lady planned on enjoying her birthday on safari but a lion turned the special day into a nightmarish ordeal.
• A man learned his lesson after he provoked a crocodile and it responded with a powerful bite in a video.
• South Africans were impressed by a Kruger National Park guide who went face-to-face with a crocodile.

Source: Briefly News