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Second American Killed by Elephant in Zambia This Year

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Author Freddie Hiney

Image by Forgiss via Depositphotos

Unprecedented, 64-year-old Juliana Gle Tourneau was the second U.S. tourist to be trampled and killed inside Zambia’s borders this year.

These fatal incidents aren’t common, so for it to occur twice within the space of six months is baffling – both events occurred during supposedly safe game drives.

Incident Overview

Image by aelice via Depositphotos

A U.S. tourist was killed in Zambia by an elephant in the second such incident this year. The victim, 64-year-old Juliana Gle Tourneau, was attacked while observing a herd of elephants.

Details of the Attack

Image by henk.bogaard@gmail.com via Depositphotos

Tourneau was part of a group watching elephants near the Maramba Cultural Bridge when an elephant attacked their vehicle, throwing her out and trampling her.

Official Statement

Elephant and Calve
Elephant mothers nurse their calves for four to six years. Image via Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Southern Province Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka reported that Tourneau, from New Mexico, USA, was killed on Wednesday around 17:50 after being knocked from the vehicle.

Previous Incident in Zambia

impala
Impala crossing the savannah near the Kafue River, Mumbwa GMA, Zambia. Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This marks the second fatal elephant attack on an American tourist in Zambia this year. In March, another tourist was killed during a game drive when an elephant charged a truck, flipping it over.

Authorities’ Warning

elephant
Image by @herd_elephants via Youtube

Zambian authorities have urged tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife to prevent such tragic incidents.

Reason for Elephant Aggression

Adult elephants with cube
Adult elephants with cube. Image by GUDKOVANDREY via Depositphotos

Elephants can become aggressive for several reasons, including protecting their young, feeling threatened, or being in musth (a period of increased testosterone in male elephants).

Elephant Diet

elephants on the savannah
Image by Dick Hoskins via Pexels

Elephants are herbivores, consuming a diet that includes grass, leaves, bark, and fruit. They can eat up to 300 pounds of food in a single day.

Elephant Habitat

Two Elephants drinking water from a waterhole. Image by Michael M on Pexels.

African elephants roam various habitats, including savannas, forests, and deserts across sub-Saharan Africa. They require large areas to find sufficient food and water.

Elephant Size and Characteristics

Borneo Elephants. Image by Katy Hollamby via Pexels

African elephants are the largest land animals, with males weighing up to 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) and standing up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the shoulder. They are known for their large ears, tusks, and trunk.

Behavioral Traits

Tarra the Elephant & Bella the Dog
Tarra the Elephant & Bella the Dog. Image by elephantsanctuarytn via YouTube

Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals, living in matriarchal herds. They communicate through vocalizations, body language, and even seismic signals transmitted through the ground.

Conservation Status

asian elephants
Ariel image of Asian elephants. Image by Bandara via Unsplash

Elephants face threats from habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts aim to protect their populations, but human-wildlife conflicts remain a significant challenge in areas where elephants and people coexist.

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