British pensioner among tourists killed by elephant on safari in Zambia
Two female tourists were attacked by the animal which was with a calf, local police said
A British pensioner is among two female tourists killed by a charging elephant while on safari in Zambia, police have said.
The pair, believed to be aged 68 and aged 67, were attacked by the animal, which was with a calf, at the South Luangwa National Park, police said.
The two tourists were trampled to death by the elephant after tour guides were unable to stop it by firing shots, local police chief Robertson Mweemba said. Both women died at the scene, he said.
It is understood the elephant was hit and injured by the gunfire.
The attack happened at the South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, around 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka.
The women, one of whom was from New Zealand, were part of a group participating in a guided safari and were walking in the park when the elephant charged at them.
Female elephants are very protective of their calves and can respond aggressively to what they perceive as threats. They are also know to create a shield around their young when they feel danger is close.
Last year, two American tourists were killed in separate encounters with elephants in different parts of Zambia. In both cases, the tourists were also elderly women and were on a safari vehicle when they were attacked.
