By Mpho Modiba
HOEDSPRUIT-A tragic incident occurred at Naauwhoek Wildlife, near Klaserie outside Hoedspruit, where a courier driver was attacked and killed by an elephant.
The driver, employed by DSV, is believed to have triggered the elephant’s aggression by hooting as he attempted to make a U-turn after mistakenly taking a wrong route.
According to an investigation by Naauwhoek Wildlife, the driver was en route to deliver goods to the Klaserie Private Game Reserve (KPGR) but accidentally entered the Naauwhoek area.
The private reserve, which focuses on rehabilitating wildlife, is home to 812 elephants, including the one responsible for the attack.
Naauwhoek Wildlife authorities launched an urgent search for the elephant involved, deploying three helicopters around 11:00 to locate the animal. The elephant was eventually found by 13:00.
Naauwhoek Wildlife, known for its strict conservation measures, only allows trained staff to engage with its rehabilitated animals, as they can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Visitors are not permitted in the facility due to the sensitive nature of the wildlife, which includes traumatized species undergoing rehabilitation.
This tragic event highlights the dangers of entering wildlife areas without proper guidance and the need for caution when navigating near these conservation spaces
