Spanish Tourist Trampled to Death by Elephants at South African Wildlife Reserve

In this photo taken Sept. 15, 2009, elephants cross a road inside the Pilanesberg Game Reserve near Rustenburg, South Africa. South Africa has nearly 600 national parks and reserves _ plenty of opportunity for the hordes of visitors coming for Africa's first World Cup to do something besides watching football.

A 43-year-old Spanish tourist was trampled to death by elephants at Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa after he left his vehicle to take photographs, authorities reported on Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at the reserve in North West province, approximately 180 kilometers (111 miles) from Johannesburg. The tourist, whose identity has not been released, approached a herd of elephants, which included young calves. Wildlife experts caution that elephants are highly protective of their young and can become aggressive if they perceive a threat.

The man's fiancée and two other women, all from Johannesburg, were also in the vehicle but were unharmed.

Piet Nel, acting chief conservation officer for the North West Parks and Tourism Board, emphasized that visitors to Pilanesberg are strictly prohibited from leaving their vehicles while driving through the park. Guests are required to sign forms acknowledging these rules.

“In some cases, people are oblivious to the dangers in the parks,” Nel said. "We must remember that you are entering a wild area.”

This incident follows the deaths of two American tourists who were killed by elephants earlier this year in separate attacks in Zambia.