M10News Travel Desk | © 2025 M10News. All rights reserved
Two elderly female tourists from the United Kingdom and New Zealand have died after being trampled by an elephant while on a walking safari in eastern Zambia.
The victims, identified as 68-year-old Janet Taylor from the UK and 67-year-old Alison Jean Taylor from New Zealand, were attacked by an elephant accompanied by its calf in South Luangwa National Park early on Saturday morning.
According to Zambian police, the incident occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. local time as the group walked towards a river crossing point in the park, located roughly 370 miles from the capital, Lusaka.
The tourists were accompanied by two armed wildlife officers and two other individuals when the elephant charged. Despite efforts by the guides to fire warning shots, the elephant could not be deterred, and both women were fatally injured at the scene.
Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed that the victims suffered fractured limbs and severe wounds from the stampede.
Experts note that female elephants can become extremely aggressive when protecting their young, and attacks involving calves are particularly dangerous.
This incident marks the latest in a series of deadly encounters between elephants and humans in southern Africa.
In April, a 68-year-old woman was trampled to death by a herd of elephants in South Africa’s Kruger National Park after walking outside her accommodation at night.
(Picture: Getty Images)
In June 2023, an American tourist, Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, was killed in Zambia after being thrown from a vehicle and trampled by an elephant near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone.
South Luangwa National Park is one of Zambia’s premier safari destinations, known for its dense wildlife population and opportunities for walking safaris. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols in light of the recent tragedy.
Officials from both the British and New Zealand embassies have been notified. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack are ongoing.
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