Cape Town – Two tourists were reportedly attacked by an elephant while inside their car at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.
According to The Citizen, the tourists were driving a white Ford Figo when they noticed the seemingly relaxed elephant walking on the road towards their car. The driver moved to the side of the road to allow the animal to pass, as was required by park rules.
“However, instead of passing, the elephant decided to lay its trunk on the tourist car’s bonnet. As this was an unexpected action by the elephant, the driver tried to extricate his car from the situation. The elephant, however, did not appreciate the driver’s behaviour,” the report quoted Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo as saying.
The elephant retaliated by smashing its tusk through the passenger window, lifting the car and tossing it into the ditch, Times Live reported.
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“As if that was not scary enough, the elephant continued to push and attack the car’s rear before deciding it was not worth it to waste its energy on an object that did not retaliate, so it backed off,” said Mntambo as quoted by the report.
A field ranger present at the time, Velenkosini Ntombela, fired a warning shot to scare the elephant away.
The two tourists were transported to safety in the ranger’s car.
No visible physical injuries were observed on both of the tourists. The damaged car was towed away.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
