Tourist killed by herd of elephants at Sirheni Bushveld Camp in Kruger

[Franco]

I don’t disagree. But there is a lot of assuming going on here about why she was out and what her motives were.

As I stated earlier many people sleep walk or become disoriented. I would not be at all surprised if an elderly woman became confused when sleeping in a strange place after a flight halfway around the world.

I agree with most of the sentiments here about the problems that come with lack of knowledge and respect for wildlife. But it is mere speculation to assume that is what motivated this woman. It could have been any number of things.

Yes sir,

You are absolutely correct. I did assume she did as many others have done.

However, to the sleepwalking theory, who takes a person who sleepwalks into a situation, knowing both the risks and potential for harm - without precautions?

 

[spike.t]

We as humans like animals, we have many of them as pets.
Who of us can deny that we enjoy holding a lion cub?
I am not saying that is ok to be stupid, just let's not be so cruel with the unfortunate

Holding a lion cub never appealed to me....

 

[Franco]

Holding a lion cub never appealed to me....

Good one

 

[spike.t]

We as humans like animals, we have many of them as pets.
Who of us can deny that we enjoy holding a lion cub?
I am not saying that is ok to be stupid, just let's not be so cruel with the unfortunate

Who is being cruel?....to me its the idiot that goes up to elephants to get a photo...then gets killed....then ele is shot...as said has happened here in Livingstone more than once....

 

[Paul Raley]

Sounds like this was a sad story , according to one of the reports the old lady had dementia and left the safety of her chalet without her family realising she had gone, she then walked out the gate into the bush and was killed by the elephants.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Canoeing in a lake filled with alligators, get killed then blame the alligator, yep, you can't fix stupid.

Alligator attacks, kills woman canoeing with her husband on lake in Florida: "He tried to fight the gator off"

An alligator killed a Florida woman after tipping over a canoe she and her husband were paddling, investigators said.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Franco]

Sounds like this was a sad story , according to one of the reports the old lady had dementia and left the safety of her chalet without her family realising she had gone, she then walked out the gate into the bush and was killed by the elephants.

If this is a true account of what happened, it is indeed both tragic and sad.

Before I get crucified for my previous comments regarding this event, I stand by my statement regarding the result of my action causing harm to myself or others.

My wife and I have cared for 3 family members with dementia. It is not easy and requires 100 percent attention. It can be exhausting. It is a situation with an acceptable failure rate of zero.

The risks of a dementia patient wandering off are ever present. Care facilities have locked doors, in home care requires round the clock monitoring, 24 hour live in help is the norm.

The patient's life is in your hands, your acceptable failure rate is zero. You do not place that person in any situation with a potential for harm.

I am sorry for the woman; I would have some serious questions for the family

 

[mooze]

After watching so many tourists approach Grizzly bears in parks here, nothing surprises me. It can only be ignorance of the danger involved.

and buffalos...

 

[Hunt anything]

If this is a true account of what happened, it is indeed both tragic and sad.

Before I get crucified for my previous comments regarding this event, I stand by my statement regarding the result of my action causing harm to myself or others.

My wife and I have cared for 3 family members with dementia. It is not easy and requires 100 percent attention. It can be exhausting. It is a situation with an acceptable failure rate of zero.

The risks of a dementia patient wandering off are ever present. Care facilities have locked doors, in home care requires round the clock monitoring, 24 hour live in help is the norm.

The patient's life is in your hands, your acceptable failure rate is zero. You do not place that person in any situation with a potential for harm.

I am sorry for the woman; I would have some serious questions for the family

Yes sir, if she did have dementia the family would have a lot of explaining to do.
Those dementia patients can be tricky. I came home from church one day and noticed a glass of water on our counter, the glass was not ours. I quickly went back to my truck and retrieved a pistol, I quickly did a search of the house and found an elderly lady asleep in our bed. She had escaped from her daughter’s house 2 miles away. She walked to our house with a heavy sweater on in 100 degree heat.
It turned out fine after calling the an ambulance and the sheriffs department. It could have been tragic.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Yes sir, if she did have dementia the family would have a lot of explaining to do.
Those dementia patients can be tricky. I came home from church one day and noticed a glass of water on our counter, the glass was not ours. I quickly went back to my truck and retrieved a pistol, I quickly did a search of the house and found an elderly lady asleep in our bed. She had escaped from her daughter’s house 2 miles away. She walked to our house with a heavy sweater on in 100 degree heat.
It turned out fine after calling the an ambulance and the sheriffs department. It could have been tragic.

Holy-crap!

 

[C.W. Richter]

Bet she won’t do that again.

An old-timer grouse hunting friend would say: "It WAS her time!"

 

[Foxi]

If this is a true account of what happened, it is indeed both tragic and sad.

Before I get crucified for my previous comments regarding this event, I stand by my statement regarding the result of my action causing harm to myself or others.

My wife and I have cared for 3 family members with dementia. It is not easy and requires 100 percent attention. It can be exhausting. It is a situation with an acceptable failure rate of zero.

The risks of a dementia patient wandering off are ever present. Care facilities have locked doors, in home care requires round the clock monitoring, 24 hour live in help is the norm.

The patient's life is in your hands, your acceptable failure rate is zero. You do not place that person in any situation with a potential for harm.

I am sorry for the woman; I would have some serious questions for the family

Franco.
Until recently, I also had a mother with dementia
Sorry-but I can't expose people like that to additional dangers.
Everyday life is bad enough.

 

[Rafiki]

Franco.
Until recently, I also had a mother with dementia
Sorry-but I can't expose people like that to additional dangers.
Everyday life is bad enough.

I happen to have a tendency to wander off and I don't have dementia (as far as I know). Did so in the jungle while in Suriname.

 

[Flbt]

We as humans like animals, we have many of them as pets.
Who of us can deny that we enjoy holding a lion cub?
I am not saying that is ok to be stupid, just let's not be so cruel with the unfortunate

It’s not cruel. Its the way things are.
And worrying about being cruel is why the world so F now.
Cruel is learning.
My oldest daughter did not like me being cruel to her as a child making her mind and spanking when she didn’t.
She has decided not to spank her son it’s cruel.
So the other day he took off running. She told him to stop multiple times.
He ask why mommy each time she said stop.
Well right into a 6 stran bobwire fince.
She told me what happened.
Simple making you mind on a farm is not cruel it’s safety. I think it was cruel not spanking where the child doesn’t mind and run into a fince.
Luckily my grand boy was not really hurt.
I hope she sees better in the future and she stops being Cruel.

Calling it like it is is not cruel

 

[Paul Raley]

Sounds like this was a sad story , according to one of the reports the old lady had dementia and left the safety of her chalet without her family realising she had gone, she then walked out the gate into the bush and was killed by the elephants.

 

[Flbt]

We as humans like animals, we have many of them as pets.
Who of us can deny that we enjoy holding a lion cub?
I am not saying that is ok to be stupid, just let's not be so cruel with the unfortunate

Oh and as far as hugging a lion cub
Hell no
When I was in low school we went to one of the animal rescue type places
And they wanted us to hold and pet all kinds of animals.
I flat refused I was fine with there cows and horses
Growing up on a working farm I knew what animals to mess with and what animals needed to be shot

 

[Flbt]

I don’t disagree. But there is a lot of assuming going on here about why she was out and what her motives were.

As I stated earlier many people sleep walk or become disoriented. I would not be at all surprised if an elderly woman became confused when sleeping in a strange place after a flight halfway around the world.

I agree with most of the sentiments here about the problems that come with lack of knowledge and respect for wildlife. But it is mere speculation to assume that is what motivated this woman. It could have been any number of things.

If there was a medical reason or sleep reasons
She should have known about it before hand and she should have taken precautions.
Simply put if a diabetic doesn’t bring insulin and eats a cake and passed out.
It’s not the cakes fault

 

[deewayne2003]

Sir,

While I don't disagree with your reference to pets and hugging a lion cub, and with respect to each of us entitled to our own opinion - I don't believe we are being cruel.

Our reactions may appear callous to those outside our community; but we as hunters are by nature, realists.

Hugging a lion cub and thinking we can safely approach a full grown lion in the bush is not a logical progression. Just because algebraic law says 1 + 2 = 3 is the same as 2 + 1 = 3, it ain't so in nature!

I will accept my comments as insensitive, the reality is - they are intended to be.

During my career in aviation I served as a pilot, mechanic, instructor, and check airman. I flew airplanes, gliders, helicopters, balloons, and airships; in addition to the airline, I spent 30 years flying a wide variety of WWII aircraft on the airshow circuit. In that time I gave and received 100's of checkrides and debriefs.

I will say this; if the possible result of your or my action is injury or death to yourself or others - the last thing to be concerned about is feelings. If a person, me included, can't take criticism they are in the wrong sandbox and need to get out.

The only cruelty I see in this situation would be to not make an example of what happened in hopes of preventing others from making the same error in judgement.

Were it possible for the woman in this event to have a "look back", realizing the outcome of her decision, and one of us standing beside her telling her what she was about to do was stupid - I doubt she would view it as cruel.

Well said.....

If it were my business, anyone going on a wildlife tour or staying at a photo safari camp would have to watch a training video that shows animals attacking people who broke the rules.

 

[Flbt]

Well said.....

If it were my business, anyone going on a wildlife tour or staying at a photo safari camp would have to watch a training video that shows animals attacking people who broke the rules.

In todays world do you think it would do any good?

 

[Hunt anything]

In todays world do you think it would do any good?

Nope