Kruger National Park

Media Release: Ranger Stabilises After Elephant Attack

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Date: 13th March 2007

Field ranger, Thomas Mathosi has stabilised in hospital after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was overturned by a group of elephants while they were on patrol in the far northern part of the Kruger National Park at around 11:15 this morning (Tuesday March 13, 2007).

Field ranger, Thomas Mathosi has stabilised in hospital after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was overturned by a group of elephants while they were on patrol in the far northern part of the Kruger National Park at around 11:15 this morning (Tuesday March 13, 2007). The rangers were returning to the Pafuri Section Ranger’s Post from a staff event when they decided to drive along the power line road, a management road north of Punda Maria Rest Camp, when they found themselves in a breeding herd of elephant. As they were watching the herd in front of them, a smaller group of elephants stormed them from behind and flipped their vehicle over, trapping Sandra Basson, the section ranger at Pafuri and her driver in the vehicle. The rest of the rangers, who were thrown clear from the back of the vehicle, fired three warning shots to scare the elephants. They then freed their trapped colleagues and rushed them to the nearest hospital at Malamulele outside the KNP. Field Ranger Mathosi, who sustained a serious injury to his thigh, has since stabilised and has been referred to Polokwane Private Hospital for further treatment. The rest of the rangers were discharged as their injuries were slight or they were unharmed. Issued by: Raymond Travers, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4116, cell: 082 908 2677 or email: raymondt@sanparks.org Enquiries: William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communications, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: williamm@sanparks.org