American Tourist Stomped To Death By Elephant!

Mike Davies · January 11, 2001, 09:40 PM

Well...it seems that American females can come to grief just the same as the poor Canadian lady that was killed by the cougar...except a little more spectacularly..
A female American tourist was killed today by a bull elephant in Kenya, when she got out of a vehicle, and attempted to 'get closer' to the animal to take a snapshot or two...seems the elephant got perturbed by the camera's clicking, and charged her, stomping her to death. If ONLY she'd had a H&H .700 Nitro Express up her LL Bean jacket...
Talk about Darwin's theory..this is an even BETTER example.

vmaam · January 11, 2001, 09:46 PM

Davies, It wasn't an Elephant..it was Rosie trying to get her doughnuts!

**Don Gwinn** · January 11, 2001, 09:48 PM

Death by Disney.

Sheesh. Would have been simpler to get out of the car with a hand grenade, pull the pin, and fall on it. Why would someone that ignorant about wildlife want to go into the African countryside in the first place?

I just finished Death in the Dark Continent, and Capstick mentions a tourist in a "Wildlife Park" in Sweden who was killed by several lions because he ignored the signs and barbed wire, driving into an off-limits area, and then got out of his car to PET a LION CUB.

**4V50 Gary** · January 11, 2001, 10:43 PM

The title to this thread misled me.

I thought that a suitcase was crushed by Jumbo. That was not the case. However, had the tourist been inside an American Tourist (sic?) brand suitcase, she may have lived to tell the story to her grandchildren. Imagine the endorsement revenue she could get from American Tourist (sic?).

Mike Davies · January 12, 2001, 12:17 AM

Don:
I never fail to amazed by folks who have the arrogance to assume that they have some sort of supernatural affinity with wild animals. We're either food or a threat to them. Period. Either way we lose one-on-one. That's why we walked upright out of the jungle and invented guns.

vmaam: ROTFL!! I sure as hell wouldn't want to get in between Rosie and her doughnuts..

V450Gary: Oh...we have some baggage handlers at Vancouver airport who could demolish an American Tourister case..no problem.<g>

I wonder what was the smallest cartridge ever to drop an elephant? I'm sure that there's at least a couple hundred elephants walking around with several .303 British slugs stuck in their hides...How could you miss an elephant?

griz · January 12, 2001, 08:42 AM

Believe it or not, there is a documented case of an elephant being killed with a 22 rimfire. It wasn't hunting though, it was a circus elephant being put down.

**Don Gwinn** · January 12, 2001, 03:20 PM

Capstick also describes the hunt he had with two Texans, who he describes as wonderful shots. They were sneaking up on three bull elephants when several native fishermen came in the other side, saw the elephants, and ran away screaming. The three charged but broke off to the side. Capstick describes screaming at the Texans to shoot and watching the better shot pull up and MISS an elephant at ten yards.

(Of course, the Texan says he put his finger on the trigger too soon and accidentally fired before the gun was all the way up. Whether that's true, I couldn't say.)

Futo Inu · January 12, 2001, 03:29 PM

Heard the other day that the hippo kills more people in Africa than all of the other "Big 5" combined (elephant, lion, cape buffalo, leopard). They are extremely territorial and aggressive. Sharp, spear-like teeth.

Canuck84 · January 12, 2001, 05:48 PM

Yes it's true Hippos are the #1 killer. Mostly because they are VERY VERY teritorial.

All I have to say is GO ELEPHANT! I know in south africa if you are dumb enough to leave your jeep in the game park the wardens won't cause a huge fuss.

What makes me sick is here in canada if a wild animal attacks someone (like the bear that brutally attacked my aunt and uncle) The ANIMAL is the one that is shot. I think we are forgetting that if we are in a National Park we are in THEIR territory.

On a positive note that cougar is being relocated not exterminated. Sorry to that lady, but unfortunate things happen and being in the wild is a risk she chose. Remember who's territory your in,

Canuck84

Mike Davies · January 12, 2001, 07:57 PM

Canuck84:
Perhaps...We may be in "their (the wild animals') territory", but we, as earth-dwellers, have as much right to be there as the animals do. I always get annoyed at the precept that somehow we shouldn't be in the bush.
I have EVERY right to walk in the bush. I just make sure I'm packing a rifle, is all.

BadMedicine · January 12, 2001, 08:24 PM

Canuch84: Which cougar are you refering to?? The one who ate the skier, and there was a thread for a few days about it here? BEcause the original article (found in the posting here: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...0&pagenumber=1 ) Said that the cougar was shot at the scene by Park officials.

Quote:

The 30-year-old woman died Tuesday when attacked on a cross-country skiing trail near Lake Minnewanka, about six miles outside the town of Banff. Park officials found the cougar, also known as a mountain lion, over her body and shot it immediately.

Canuck84 · January 12, 2001, 08:31 PM

Oh yes I agree. We do Have the right to be in the bush. I just think we have abused our privilages as master species and now need to repair our great outdoors and wildlife. We have taken up and destroyed enough habitat. Once they can flourish again and we balance the scales that will be great!

I can see you guys going "phpt. Bloody enviro's go Fall off a cliff!" But do you have any better sugestions?

Bad medicing: I'm pretty sure the couger was relocated up north. They were tracking it for a while after. If not, Someone gets a new rug for christmas.

I don't mean to sound to disrespectful to the victems either. It's not their fault.

Canuck84

hksigwalther · January 12, 2001, 08:32 PM

Like I always say :

Survival of the smartest.

The elephant was only an enforcer.

**4V50 Gary** · January 12, 2001, 11:43 PM

(background music) See the playful Tigers as they romp through the tall grass. Oh, here come the cubs. They're curious and very friendly...(collective sigh from the happy audience)

My generation grew up on those Mutual Omaha Wildlife flicks on all those cute animals. This was backed up with the tear wrenching "Born Free" series. Oh, how huggable and human those critters were! Yeah, really. Tell that to Hugh Glass (Fur trade era mountain man who was tore up by a b'ar and left to die by his companions).

Does anyone else remember that Landrover ad where the Landrover was being chased by a Rhino. What they didn't show you was the Rhino ramming the rear end of the Landrover and the fishtailing which followed as the driver wrestled for control without decelerating. What a riot!

Canuck84 · January 12, 2001, 11:46 PM

No kidding. And when you go back to the pub, No one will believe you. That's a risk you take. Survivor of the Fittest/smartest/fastest etc.......

BadMedicine · January 13, 2001, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Tell that to Hugh Glass (Fur trade era mountain man who was tore up by a b'ar and left to die by his companions).

I'll assume you mean me

This guy and his party were working there way West through the untamed wilderness, when he was attacked an mauled nearly to death by a bear. The party had to move on but the leader assigned a couple men to watch over the guy until he died(since he was too injured to be moved), then burry him, and catch up. The guys waited a couple days, and then left him there, unable to fend for himself, but barely still alive, but only after they'd taken his gun, knife, canteen, etc. Well the guy lived by drinking the dew off the grass. Finally crawled to the edge of a stream, and drank from it, and ate any vegatation in reach. Eventually he fully recovered, and killed the men who left him there to die. (great story huh??)
Is that the one you refered to Gary??

DC · January 13, 2001, 02:27 AM

The main problem is that most folks today are too damned lazy to actually think and learn. They see travelogs, Jack Hanna/Marlin Perkins with all the cool animals and the cuddly babies. They book a trip to the veldt (or alpine forest or arctic coast or rain forest), they either disregard the guide's instructions or decide a pro is too expensive and go it alone/with other morons. "That animal won't hurt me...I like them and it can sense my good vibes and karma"....splat/rip/munch. It is their turf and they are as possessive/aggressive as we are (or should be).

Wanna go on that trip? Spend a few months prior learning the specific ecology/biology/ethology; become informed...if not, stay home and watch the video with your cat (but don't PO kitty...she'll give you a survivable lesson

).

The Maz · January 13, 2001, 04:59 AM

Gee. Maybe I should put my .458 in the trunk of my car?

**4V50 Gary** · January 13, 2001, 01:29 PM

Yep, that's the Hugh Glass I was thinking of. Except he didn't kill the two fellows who left him to die. One of those fellow was a teenage Jim Bridger, who would go on to fame as a mountain man in his own right.

Jamie Young · January 13, 2001, 06:10 PM

I live just outside of Philadelphia and in the last two years several Black Bear have come out of the mountains in Northern New Jersey and parts of Northern Pa. You should see people on TV talking about how the Police "Better not shoot the Bears". And all the Bear is doing is "Exploring"!! They caught one Bear 3 times in less than a year coming within just a few miles of Philadelphia. Its only a matter of time before somebody around this area gets there head ripped off. People were all outside with there kids and cameras taking pictures. We also have had Cougars in this area and this was completely unheard a few years ago. Its amazing how detached from Nature people are especially with Bear. The Main Reason I got my Gun Permit was because my Best friend got charged by a Bear walking out of his shed 5yrs ago and his Dog fought off the bear for 30 minutes. I don't walk around the woods anymore without a gun. I'm not Stupid!!!!!!!!

Dead · January 13, 2001, 08:00 PM

I have seen many a persons try to "chase" a bear where I live (well ok like 5-6 of those morons). Most of them have NEVER seen a live bear out in the wild before. Once someone saw a bear, and was wandering towards it, before we stopped them. Guess what was following momma?? Yep a Cub... Imagine if we didnt stop that person?? I can see the headlines "Man Maimed/Killed by Bear, while out in the woods".

MAD DOG · January 13, 2001, 08:13 PM

I can hear the other Elephants, teasing the one who stomped el Tourista.
"Hey, look what you stepped in! EEEEWWWWW!"
"Eddy stepped in TOOOUUURRRIST!"

Elephants have a sense of humor, but it is not terribly advanced.

I am surprised that the legislature has not called for a ban on high capacity Assault Elephants...

hksigwalther · January 13, 2001, 10:41 PM

Especially the ones with the ivory bayonets.

Jamie Young · January 13, 2001, 11:06 PM

My Dad stopped two people that told there kid to stand next to the Baby Bear cubs when we were in West Virginia about 20yrs ago. We were in the parking lot and my Dad made my whole family get back into the car while these two stupid yuppies took pictures of there stupid kid and a family of Bears. I don't remember it but my Dad talks about it every time stuff like this happens.

**Mike Irwin** · January 14, 2001, 12:37 AM

My problem is that people want to take me with them when they go hiking in bear and lion country...

I'm fat & slow. I guess they figure I'll be a tastier treat, and easier to catch...

Wankers.

January 11, 2001, 10:43 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	The title to this thread misled me. I thought that a suitcase was crushed by Jumbo. That was not the case. However, had the tourist been inside an American Tourist (sic?) brand suitcase, she may have lived to tell the story to her grandchildren. Imagine the endorsement revenue she could get from American Tourist (sic?). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 12, 2001, 08:42 AM	#6
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: hampton,va,US Posts: 1,120	smallest cartridge Believe it or not, there is a documented case of an elephant being killed with a 22 rimfire. It wasn't hunting though, it was a circus elephant being put down.

January 12, 2001, 03:29 PM	#8
Futo Inu Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Posts: 3,629	Tangential note Heard the other day that the hippo kills more people in Africa than all of the other "Big 5" combined (elephant, lion, cape buffalo, leopard). They are extremely territorial and aggressive. Sharp, spear-like teeth.

January 12, 2001, 08:32 PM	#13
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,202	Like I always say : Survival of the smartest. The elephant was only an enforcer. __________________ - Ron V.

January 12, 2001, 11:43 PM	#14
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	Too much Disney... (background music) See the playful Tigers as they romp through the tall grass. Oh, here come the cubs. They're curious and very friendly...(collective sigh from the happy audience) My generation grew up on those Mutual Omaha Wildlife flicks on all those cute animals. This was backed up with the tear wrenching "Born Free" series. Oh, how huggable and human those critters were! Yeah, really. Tell that to Hugh Glass (Fur trade era mountain man who was tore up by a b'ar and left to die by his companions). Does anyone else remember that Landrover ad where the Landrover was being chased by a Rhino. What they didn't show you was the Rhino ramming the rear end of the Landrover and the fishtailing which followed as the driver wrestled for control without decelerating. What a riot! __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 11, 2001, 09:40 PM	#1
Mike Davies Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 377	Well...it seems that American females can come to grief just the same as the poor Canadian lady that was killed by the cougar...except a little more spectacularly.. A female American tourist was killed today by a bull elephant in Kenya, when she got out of a vehicle, and attempted to 'get closer' to the animal to take a snapshot or two...seems the elephant got perturbed by the camera's clicking, and charged her, stomping her to death. If ONLY she'd had a H&H .700 Nitro Express up her LL Bean jacket... Talk about Darwin's theory..this is an even BETTER example.

January 11, 2001, 09:46 PM	#2
vmaam Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2000 Posts: 139	Davies, It wasn't an Elephant..it was Rosie trying to get her doughnuts!

January 11, 2001, 09:48 PM	#3
Don Gwinn Staff Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,914	Death by Disney. Sheesh. Would have been simpler to get out of the car with a hand grenade, pull the pin, and fall on it. Why would someone that ignorant about wildlife want to go into the African countryside in the first place? I just finished Death in the Dark Continent, and Capstick mentions a tourist in a "Wildlife Park" in Sweden who was killed by several lions because he ignored the signs and barbed wire, driving into an off-limits area, and then got out of his car to PET a LION CUB.

January 12, 2001, 12:17 AM	#5
Mike Davies Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 377	Don: I never fail to amazed by folks who have the arrogance to assume that they have some sort of supernatural affinity with wild animals. We're either food or a threat to them. Period. Either way we lose one-on-one. That's why we walked upright out of the jungle and invented guns. vmaam: ROTFL!! I sure as hell wouldn't want to get in between Rosie and her doughnuts.. V450Gary: Oh...we have some baggage handlers at Vancouver airport who could demolish an American Tourister case..no problem.<g> I wonder what was the smallest cartridge ever to drop an elephant? I'm sure that there's at least a couple hundred elephants walking around with several .303 British slugs stuck in their hides...How could you miss an elephant?

January 12, 2001, 03:20 PM	#7
Don Gwinn Staff Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,914	Capstick also describes the hunt he had with two Texans, who he describes as wonderful shots. They were sneaking up on three bull elephants when several native fishermen came in the other side, saw the elephants, and ran away screaming. The three charged but broke off to the side. Capstick describes screaming at the Texans to shoot and watching the better shot pull up and MISS an elephant at ten yards. (Of course, the Texan says he put his finger on the trigger too soon and accidentally fired before the gun was all the way up. Whether that's true, I couldn't say.)

January 12, 2001, 05:48 PM	#9
Canuck84 Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Canada/alberta Posts: 39	Yes it's true Hippos are the #1 killer. Mostly because they are VERY VERY teritorial. All I have to say is GO ELEPHANT! I know in south africa if you are dumb enough to leave your jeep in the game park the wardens won't cause a huge fuss. What makes me sick is here in canada if a wild animal attacks someone (like the bear that brutally attacked my aunt and uncle) The ANIMAL is the one that is shot. I think we are forgetting that if we are in a National Park we are in THEIR territory. On a positive note that cougar is being relocated not exterminated. Sorry to that lady, but unfortunate things happen and being in the wild is a risk she chose. Remember who's territory your in, Canuck84

January 12, 2001, 07:57 PM	#10
Mike Davies Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 377	Canuck84: Perhaps...We may be in "their (the wild animals') territory", but we, as earth-dwellers, have as much right to be there as the animals do. I always get annoyed at the precept that somehow we shouldn't be in the bush. I have EVERY right to walk in the bush. I just make sure I'm packing a rifle, is all.

January 12, 2001, 08:31 PM	#12
Canuck84 Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Canada/alberta Posts: 39	Oh yes I agree. We do Have the right to be in the bush. I just think we have abused our privilages as master species and now need to repair our great outdoors and wildlife. We have taken up and destroyed enough habitat. Once they can flourish again and we balance the scales that will be great! I can see you guys going "phpt. Bloody enviro's go Fall off a cliff!" But do you have any better sugestions? Bad medicing: I'm pretty sure the couger was relocated up north. They were tracking it for a while after. If not, Someone gets a new rug for christmas. I don't mean to sound to disrespectful to the victems either. It's not their fault. Canuck84

January 12, 2001, 11:46 PM	#15
Canuck84 Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Canada/alberta Posts: 39	No kidding. And when you go back to the pub, No one will believe you. That's a risk you take. Survivor of the Fittest/smartest/fastest etc.......

January 13, 2001, 02:27 AM	#17
DC Moderator Emeritus Join Date: September 30, 1998 Location: Calif Posts: 4,241	The main problem is that most folks today are too damned lazy to actually think and learn. They see travelogs, Jack Hanna/Marlin Perkins with all the cool animals and the cuddly babies. They book a trip to the veldt (or alpine forest or arctic coast or rain forest), they either disregard the guide's instructions or decide a pro is too expensive and go it alone/with other morons. "That animal won't hurt me...I like them and it can sense my good vibes and karma"....splat/rip/munch. It is their turf and they are as possessive/aggressive as we are (or should be). Wanna go on that trip? Spend a few months prior learning the specific ecology/biology/ethology; become informed...if not, stay home and watch the video with your cat (but don't PO kitty...she'll give you a survivable lesson ). __________________ "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" MOLON LABE!

January 13, 2001, 04:59 AM	#18
The Maz Junior Member Join Date: November 1, 2000 Posts: 10	Gee. Maybe I should put my .458 in the trunk of my car?

January 13, 2001, 01:29 PM	#19
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	Yep, that's the Hugh Glass I was thinking of. Except he didn't kill the two fellows who left him to die. One of those fellow was a teenage Jim Bridger, who would go on to fame as a mountain man in his own right. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 13, 2001, 06:10 PM	#20
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,825	I live just outside of Philadelphia and in the last two years several Black Bear have come out of the mountains in Northern New Jersey and parts of Northern Pa. You should see people on TV talking about how the Police "Better not shoot the Bears". And all the Bear is doing is "Exploring"!! They caught one Bear 3 times in less than a year coming within just a few miles of Philadelphia. Its only a matter of time before somebody around this area gets there head ripped off. People were all outside with there kids and cameras taking pictures. We also have had Cougars in this area and this was completely unheard a few years ago. Its amazing how detached from Nature people are especially with Bear. The Main Reason I got my Gun Permit was because my Best friend got charged by a Bear walking out of his shed 5yrs ago and his Dog fought off the bear for 30 minutes. I don't walk around the woods anymore without a gun. I'm not Stupid!!!!!!!!

January 13, 2001, 08:00 PM	#21
Dead Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: AoW Land, USA Posts: 1,809	I have seen many a persons try to "chase" a bear where I live (well ok like 5-6 of those morons). Most of them have NEVER seen a live bear out in the wild before. Once someone saw a bear, and was wandering towards it, before we stopped them. Guess what was following momma?? Yep a Cub... Imagine if we didnt stop that person?? I can see the headlines "Man Maimed/Killed by Bear, while out in the woods". __________________ Dead [Black Ops] www.therallypoint.org

January 13, 2001, 08:13 PM	#22
MAD DOG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona. Posts: 857	I can hear the other Elephants, teasing the one who stomped el Tourista. "Hey, look what you stepped in! EEEEWWWWW!" "Eddy stepped in TOOOUUURRRIST!" Elephants have a sense of humor, but it is not terribly advanced. I am surprised that the legislature has not called for a ban on high capacity Assault Elephants...

January 13, 2001, 10:41 PM	#23
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,202	Especially the ones with the ivory bayonets. __________________ - Ron V.

January 13, 2001, 11:06 PM	#24
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,825	My Dad stopped two people that told there kid to stand next to the Baby Bear cubs when we were in West Virginia about 20yrs ago. We were in the parking lot and my Dad made my whole family get back into the car while these two stupid yuppies took pictures of there stupid kid and a family of Bears. I don't remember it but my Dad talks about it every time stuff like this happens.

January 14, 2001, 12:37 AM	#25
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,782	My problem is that people want to take me with them when they go hiking in bear and lion country... I'm fat & slow. I guess they figure I'll be a tastier treat, and easier to catch... Wankers.