It is the third horrific death at the reserve inside a year after rangers David Kandela and Philani Sibiya were killed with the elephants understood to be part of the same herd
The co-owner of one of the world’s leading game reserves has been trampled to death after being speared by an angry elephant.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve boss FC Conradie was gored by the six-ton animal as the Chief Executive Officer was charged at the safari park. He was trying to move the huge creatures away from tourist lodges when one reacted badly, and suddenly attacked the 39-year-old.
After the injured millionaire was thrown to the floor, the elephant stamped on him, killing him instantly. A Gondwana Private Game Reserve spokesman confirmed: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of FC Conradie who was our CEO in a tragic incident earlier today.”
“It involved an elephant bull and this heart-breaking event has shaken us all. Our full support is first and foremost with his wife and family who have suffered an unimaginable loss and we ask that their privacy be respected as they face this tragedy. The leadership team are focused on providing every possible support to them and our staff many of whom have lost both a leader and a friend and a mentor here at Gondwana.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and at this time we are unable to provide further comment. We thank everyone for their messages of compassion and support.”
It comes after two rangers David Kandela, 36, and Philani Sibiya, 33, were killed in separate incident after being trampled to death by elephants while going about their duties at the reserve last year. The elephants that killed the CEO and Mr Kandela are understood to be part of the same herd.
South African Police spokesperson Officer Kappie Kapp said: “It was reported at 8am on Tuesday that an employee at Gondwana Game reserve was attacked by an elephant. He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene and rangers moved the elephant away to another area. An inquest has been opened and a full investigation is underway.”
Earlier this year, a Spanish tourist was crushed to death in an horrific stampede in the country . The visitors died front of his screaming fiancee after he got out of his car to take photographs in a South African game reserve. The four visitors were driving round the Pilanesberg National Park close to the world famous tourist resort Sun City when they spotted a breeding herd with three young by a lake.
Despite warnings from his three fellow passengers to get back into the car the tourist, aged 43, said he wanted to get close-ups of the six elephants and got out and walked towards them.
A huge 3.5 ton adult female cow protecting the young members of the herd was spooked and charged at the man and she was joined by the other two adult bulls who also attacked. The screaming Spaniard was racing back with his camera to safety through the bush to his friends in the car but was overtaken by the chasing herd who knocked him down and trampled him to death.
All that witnesses said was left was left after the 30 second attack was the tattered blood-soaked clothing of the tourist and the remnants of what was the tourist’s body crushed into the earth. It is understood the dead man was on holiday from Spain with his fiancee and was with two of her South African friends from Johannesburg when the tragedy happened on Sunday morning.
A North-West Parks & Tourism Board spokesman said: “The elephants moved away immediately from the scene without any aggression towards the nearby vehicles and disappeared in the bushes. The guest was a male Spanish citizen who had entered at Bakgatia Gate with three friends and not far from the gate had come across a breeding herd of elephants feeding a distance from the road. According to eye witnesses the man decided to alight from the vehicle and approach the elephants on foot taking pictures.”
“Despite warnings from his fellow passengers and occupants from two other vehicles that were at the sighting he unfortunately did not heed the warnings. An adult elephant cow charged at the man who then ran from the elephant. He was unfortunately not able to escape or evade the elephant which was now joined by the whole herd and was caught and trampled to death.