AN elephant carer has tragically died after being struck by an adult female he raised from a calf.
Israel Shambira, 58, had just made a video to celebrate the animal’s 19th birthday when he was impaled and killed by the beast.
HERD/FacebookAn elephant carer has tragically died after being struck by an adult female he raised from a calf[/caption]
HERD/FacebookIsrael Shambira, 58, was a respected elephant carer in South Africa[/caption]
HERD/FacebookLimpopo killed the carer after becoming agitated[/caption]
Dad-of-eight Shambira was accompanying the herd on their usual Saturday afternoon walk when the elephant, Limpopo, became agitated.
When the elephant pushed over a tree, three carers rushed to get help.
But as they scurried off, Limpopo loudly trumpeted before charging at Shambira who was sitting under a tree.
The beast then impaled the victim against the trunk with his tusks.
Hearing the commotion, the reserve’s workers rushed back to try and save their friend.
But despite their best efforts, he was soon pronounced dead.
A spokesman for the reserve said the elephant’s behaviour was “unexpected”, adding that the animals were in a “relaxed” state when they entered the bush.
The elephant that killed Shambira was the first calf born to the 16-strong Jabulani herd in 2006.
The herd arrived at the Hoedspruit Elephant and Rehabilitation and Development camp in South Africa in 2002 following threats to kill the animals in Zimbabwe.
Shambira, who is said to have loved and cared for the animals like his own family, joined the reserve as a carer in 1996 – later assisting with the herd’s move.
He is also understood to have raised Limpopo from birth.
A spokesman for the reserve HERD said: “We have no idea what went through Limpopo’s mind and why she just did it as the elephants were in a relaxed state in the bush.
“Limpopo’s behaviour was totally unexpected and unprovoked during the usual walk out in the bush on the reserve and why she turned on Israel we just will never know.
“Israel was a builder in Zimbabwe in 1996 working on a project with orphaned elephants nearby and was fascinated by them and gave up his job and went to look after them.
“In 2002 war veterans in Zimbabwe were going to slaughter the elephants and a plan was made to get them down to us at South Africa’s first and only elephant orphanage.
“Israel left his wife and children to support and look after the elephants and has been with us ever since and Limpopo was the first birth we had here from the herd in 2006.
“Unlike all the other elephants here who were orphaned by poachers or were traumatised Limpopo was born into safety and has never been in any danger or threatened.
“She was a gentle giant which is what makes this so tragic and baffling to understand because Israel had been at her side since she was born 19 years ago”.
He added: “Israel loved and cared for those elephants as much as he loved and cared for his family and they were 30 years of his life and we will miss him so much”.
The horrific attack comes just weeks after Chief Executive Officer FC Conradie, who co-owns the exclusive Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was suddenly charged at by an elephant.
The 39-year-old millionaire was reportedly mauled by the six-ton African elephant and killed by the impact.
FC Conradie was said by staff to have a “love for elephants and nature” and would often go out to photograph them.
A similar incident also occurred in August when a man, known publicly as R.Basavaraju, was charged at by an elephant after trying to take a picture of the animal.
Terrifying footage of the encounter shows the elephant standing on the side of the road before flinging its trunk.
Charging across the road in front of a moving car he chases the fleeing tourist who luckily escapes.
HERD/FacebookShambira loved elephants like his family, according to his colleagues[/caption]
@ Liane Kim PhotographyLimpopo was part of a 16-strong herd[/caption]
The elephant was on their weekly Saturday walk when she attackedHERD/Facebook Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
