animals attack on safari

Yes, Lions Will Hunt Humans if Given the Chance

The tragic attack at a South AFrican park serves as a reminder that lions are predators and humans are prey

Helen Thompson

Earlier this week, a female African lion  attacked and killed a 29-year-old American woman on safari outside Johannesburg, South Africa. It's a tragedy, but given what zoologists know about lions, not one that's totally unexpected.

While visiting a lion reserve on a car tour, the woman rolled her window down to take some pictures, according to Brent Swails and Dana Ford of CNN . She likely did not see the lioness approach. The animal stopped three feet from the vehicle before lunging through the window. A guide, who was also in the car, tried to fight the animal off, sustaining injuries to his arm. Staff chased the lioness away, and the woman died at the scene. Signs in the park warn visitor to keep their windows rolled up, and the part has had previous incidents stemming from open windows.

While the facts of the attack are horrible, the lioness didn't do anything that's inconsistent with her biology, as Mary Bates explains for National Geographic . Lions are extremely accomplished predators and adept hunters. For them, humans count as prey. Ignoring their prowess in this department is a big mistake. Luke Dollar , a conservation scientist who directs the National Geographic Society's Big Cats Initiative, told Bates. "Almost any organism around lions might be a potential prey item, and for people to think that they are an exception is folly" Dollar said.  "I would imagine that every other primate that co-exists with big cats is acutely aware of the position they hold relative to the top predators of the world."

Given the intersection of tourism and conservation at sites like the lion park, humans sometimes acquire a false sense of security. As society expands to less developed areas, humans, lions and other predators have also inevitably crossed paths more frequently.

Since not all attacks are reported, it's hard to put numbers on the number of lion attacks seen globally. Estimates range from 20 to 250 . Tanzania has the highest population of lions in Africa, and between 1990 and 2004 , the country saw 593 deaths and 308 injuries from African lion attacks.

Aside from lack of awareness on the part of the human, there are a few things that might drive a lion to attack a human. The first and most obvious is hunger. Without horns or fangs, humans also look like easier targets to older or sick lions. In certain instances, females might perceive humans as a threat to their cubs. If the animal is injured, it also might feel threatened by the presence of a human.

Though an investigation of the attack continues, park officials told SABC News that they do not plan to execute the lioness involved in this week's attack. Instead, she will be moved to a private part of the park.

Dollar told Bates he hopes that the attack can at least raise awareness among tourists and encourage people to be careful while out observing the impressive predators in the wild.

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Helen Thompson | | READ MORE

Helen Thompson writes about science and culture for Smithsonian . She's previously written for NPR, National Geographic News , Nature and others.

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The Cheetahs Made a Kill. Then the Safari Trucks Swarmed In.

A video showing dozens of vehicles moving in on a pair of big cats in a Kenyan game reserve highlights how “aggressive tourism” can put endangered animals at even greater risk.

By Maria Cramer and Costas Christ

The video surfaced online around October. Filmed from a distance, it shows an antelope grazing on the African plain. Suddenly, two cheetahs race toward it and the antelope takes off, running toward the camera. But the cats are too fast. They converge on it and bring it down. They begin to feed.

Almost at that exact moment, a second drama unfolds: The safari vehicles that have been parked in the background begin to move. One dark-colored 4x4 hits the gas and begins driving closer to the animals. Then vehicle after vehicle is on the move — green, brown, white, in various states of repair. You can hear the voices of the guides within yelling at one another. Some start to honk their horns. The vehicles form a circle, jockeying for position as their passengers hold up cellphones to record the cheetahs and their meal.

A woman’s voice can be heard in the background. “Are they stupid?” she asks.

The video was filmed in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, home to many of the Big Five animals ( lions , leopards, elephants , buffalo and rhinoceroses ) that safari participants tick off their lists. The identity of the video’s creator remains unknown, as does the date it was shot.

It was originally shared by a Twitter account using the name @DrumChronicles and has been viewed more than 175,000 times since it appeared. Guides and conservationists who have seen it said the video underscored a problem many of them have observed since the Kenyan government began lifting most pandemic-related travel restrictions : safari vehicles packed with cellphone-wielding tourists led by guides who are willing to get too close to the animals.

Overcrowding at popular safari spots was a serious issue before the pandemic, but as tourists have returned to Kenya, the problem has come back with alarming speed and “appears to be heightened by pent-up travel demand,” said Judy Kepher-Gona , director of the Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda , an organization based in Kenya that has called for stricter monitoring in the reserve.

“Sadly, what is seen in this video is the rule and not the exception in Masai Mara reserve,” she said.

In February, a Toyota Land Cruiser carrying tourists got so close to a family of cheetahs, the vehicle nearly ran over one of the cubs.

In August, Simon Espley, the chief executive of Africa Geographic , a travel and conservation company, watched in horror as 60 vehicles idled on both sides of the Mara River, which runs through the reserve, mere feet from where hundreds of wildebeests and zebras were slowly amassing at a crossing point during their migration in the Masai Mara.

When the hooves hit the water, there was a “crazy, chaotic rush as hundreds of tons of steel lunged forward with screaming engines” from the 4x4s that maneuvered to get closer to the herds, Mr. Espley said.

“It was surreal and sickening as we all converged on what is only a few hundred meters of riverbank, jostled for position and somehow avoided collisions,” he said.

Mr. Espley, whose company had organized the safari trip for a group of photographers, said he felt “regret and unease” about being part of that crowd. “Everyone in our safari vehicle did,” he said. The travelers asked their guide, a local Masai, to drive them away immediately.

“He was happy to oblige,” Mr. Espley said.

The problem, which conservationists describe as “aggressive tourism,” preceded the pandemic, but it appears to have gotten worse, with guests hungry for Instagram moments and tour companies trying to make up for the losses they suffered when the world shut down.

“Personally I won’t go into the Mara Reserve ever again in season because of this,” said Michael Lorentz, a safari guide based in Cape Town who leads tours in Kenya. “It actually upsets me so much, and it upsets my guests to see how badly animals are being treated.”

An urge to get too close

The human desire to get close to animals, however dangerous, is innate, said Prof. Philip Tedeschi, the founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver, who frequently visits Kenya with his students.

“It’s part of our DNA to pay special attention to living systems,” he said.

Last summer, a small boat in Plymouth, Mass., came so close to a humpback that it almost capsized when the whale leapt out of the water and landed on its bow.

In May, a 25-year-old woman who approached a bison in Yellowstone National Park was gored and tossed 10 feet into the air. She survived, park officials said in a statement that warned visitors to stay at least 25 yards from the animals.

The behavior may be misguided and dangerous, Mr. Tedeschi said, but it is also an attempt to have a “peak experience,” a term coined by the psychologist Abraham Maslow that describes a euphoric state of mind that comes from witnessing or participating in a moment so intense it changes the neurochemistry of the brain.

And it can lead us to put a premium on being far too close to animals — “literally being able to look over the shoulder of the animal as it kills its prey” — while forgetting that animals are sentient beings whose behavior is altered by our presence, he said.

The consequences for animals can be devastating, Mr. Tedeschi said.

In Kenya, cheetahs — the fastest of the big cats, but also among the most timid — can easily be scared off a hard-won kill even if they have gone days without eating. Vehicles that get too close can reveal a cheetah’s position to prey or other predators, adding another challenge for animals that are already struggling to find food because of drought and habitat loss.

Large numbers of vehicles and tourists in the roughly 580-square-mile Masai Mara are also threatening the annual journey of mammals known as the Great Migration, when more than one million wildebeests, along with zebras and gazelles, move through the reserve in July and August, the peak travel months for Kenya.

The Great Migration was already being threatened by other types of human behavior, including urban development, new settlements and fencing for farms.

Tourists clamoring for front-row seats are adding pressure on the animals, who could respond by traveling in smaller numbers or deviating from their established routes to avoid the crush of vehicles and tourists, said Benson Gitau, a Kenyan guide.

Searching for a better way

Tourism is critical to many African economies. By 2030, travel to the continent is projected to generate more than $260 billion annually. In Kenya, before the pandemic, tourism accounted for nearly 10 percent of the gross domestic product, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

In 2019, more than two million people visited Kenya, a number that was expected to grow by more than 7 percent in 2020, the tourism ministry said. But then the pandemic hit, forcing hotels and restaurants to close and more than 80 percent of companies in the country’s tourism sector to lay off workers . And those who did not lose their jobs often had to cope with pay cuts of up to 70 percent, the ministry said.

During the height of the pandemic, many guides lost their jobs and had to use their vehicles as taxis or to deliver groceries, said Mr. Gitau, the Kenyan guide, who works in the Loisaba Conservancy , a 57,000-acre wildlife reserve north of Nairobi.

Visitors have returned steadily, though in smaller numbers. By the spring of 2022, international tourist arrivals in Africa had more than doubled compared with 2021. In October, Najib Balala, then Kenya’s tourism secretary, projected 1.4 million to 1.5 million visitors to the country by the end of 2022, compared with 870,000 in 2021.

But as the country welcomed back visitors, leaders began rethinking how to manage tourism in its reserves and parks.

In May, Mr. Balala’s office released a 130-page report that called for a “new tourism strategy.” Among its proposals: increasing prices for the Masai Mara in July and August ( it currently costs up to $80 for nonresident adults to visit the park ) and restricting development of new lodging in the country’s national parks to 30 beds.

There are dozens of camps and lodges in the reserve and the protected areas that neighbor it, according to Masai Mara Travel, a tour company in Kenya. Some camps and lodges in the reserve have up to 200 beds, Mr. Gitau said.

But conservationists and guides on the ground say few, if any, of the measures proposed by the ministry have been enacted.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, which came under new leadership in October, did not respond to repeated messages for comment. The Kenya Wildlife Service , a state corporation charged with managing and conserving the country’s wildlife, declined to comment.

Zebra Plains, one of the tour operators whose vehicles can be seen in the video, did not respond to requests for comment. The video was posted in November on Zebra Plains’ Facebook page by a user complaining about the drivers’ conduct.

“Whilst our photographic guests usually have off road permits that does not excuse driving between other vehicles and the sighting,” the company responded in the comments. “This will be taken up with the guides concerned.”

With the Masai Mara increasingly under pressure from tourists, conservationists have been pushing for the “conservancy” model, in which private parcels of land owned by local communities, such as the Masai, are leased to tour companies. They agree to hire community members as guides, camp managers, kitchen staff and housekeepers and to follow rules that include caps on the number of lodges and camps and limits on the number of tourist vehicles. The largest camp in Loisaba Conservancy, for example, fits 20 to 30 tourists, Mr. Gitau said.

Since 2013, when the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association was established, about 350,000 acres of wilderness bordering the Masai Mara reserve have come under this type of private-public partnership.

Research shows wildlife fares better where tourism is more controlled. For example, female cheetahs in the Masai Mara reserve raised far fewer cubs than cheetahs in the conservancies, according to a 2018 report in the scientific journal Ecology and Evolution.

Staying in the conservancies instead of the Masai Mara is more expensive — at least $1,200 a night versus a few hundred, said Ashish Sanghrajka, president of Big Five Tours & Expeditions, a Florida-based tour company that organizes trips in the conservancies.

The answer to limiting the number of tourists in the Masai Mara may lie in raising park prices, he said.

“It should be expensive,” said Mr. Sanghrajka, who was born in Kenya. “It’s supposed to be a privilege. It’s not supposed to be a right.”

At the same time, a healthy tourism industry is critical to conservation efforts in a region of the world with some of the most endangered species, including black rhinos. Tourism offers local communities an incentive to protect wildlife, and with few other industries offering well-paying jobs, many Kenyans depend on tourism as a lifeline out of poverty.

The goal should be to improve enforcement and monitoring in the Masai Mara reserve, not to discourage travel, Ms. Kepher-Gona said.

To that end, visitors have tremendous power, she said. They can make sure tour companies have guides licensed by the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association and ask tour companies for their codes of ethics and if the guides keep their distance from animals to avoid disturbing them.

Mr. Gitau said that as a rule, a trained guide will come no closer than 20 to 30 meters to a hunt. “When you arrive there, you have to switch off your engine, keep quiet and enjoy the scene,” he said.

Tourists can also act more responsibly by tempering their expectations, Mr. Gitau said. When he picks up guests, he said, he always asks them what they want to see. Often they say they want to see “a kill.”

Mr. Gitau said he tells them he will do his best to give them a memorable experience. But he always adds this reminder: “Nature is full of surprises. Whatever happens, just know that it was meant to happen.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Susan C. Beachy contributed research.

An earlier version of this article misstated the distance that Yellowstone National Park officials, in a statement, warned visitors to keep between themselves and large animals like bison. It is 25 yards, not 25 feet.

How we handle corrections

Maria Cramer is a reporter on the Travel desk. Please send her tips, questions and complaints about traveling, especially on cruises. More about Maria Cramer

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American Tourist Dead, Five Others Injured After Bull Elephant Attacks Safari Convoy

Five American tourists were left injured, and one tragically died, after a bull elephant attacked their safari convoy at an Zambian wildlife sanctuary, The Daily Mail reported. Terrifying video of the incident shows the moment the 10-foot elephant pounced on the caravan and flipped their vehicle.

It happened around 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lufupa Camp within the Kafue National Park, the largest game reserve on the continent. Kafue is owned and operated by African Parks, which also owns 22 similar wildlife sanctuaries in Africa.

Six tourists had embarked on a safari operated by Wilderness Zambia, but things quickly went awry when the elephant spotted the party.

Footage captured by one passenger shows the elephant chasing the convoy for a substantial distance, accelerating gradually as it tracks the group through dense vegetation. When the vehicle runs out of road, the tour guide attempts to back up; however, the elephant takes this opportunity to pounce, quickly flipping the vehicle.

Immediately after the incident, Kafue sent a helicopter into the park to evacuate the victims. One of the party’s members, an 80-year-old woman, died shortly following the attack. Her cause of death has not been publicly released. Another woman remains hospitalized in serious condition. The other four members of the party were reportedly treated for minor injuries before being released. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed.

Many on social media questioned why the tour guide would stop his vehicle, a matter that Wilderness Zambia CEO Keith Vincent clarified in a statement.

“Our guides are all extremely well-trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” Vincent explained.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” he continued. “We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident.”

Vincent added that Wilderness Zambia is arranging to have the deceased woman’s body returned to the United States for a proper burial.

Elephant attacks on safari convoys are hardly unprecedented. Just last week, harrowing footage of another attack was captured at a wildlife park in South Africa. It shows an elephant repeatedly ramming the front of a safari truck and trying to flip it whilst panicked tourists mill about inside.

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Animal Attacks: How to Stay Safe on Safari

Author: Megan Warrington - 5 April 2024

Last Update: 10 May 2024

Part of the South Africa Safari Holidays & African Safari Collection

The thrill of seeing the Big Five is often the prime reason for going on a safari. Seeing these wild animals in their natural environment is awe-inspiring and creates unforgettable memories. Despite safari lodges, operators, and guides undergoing the necessary training and implementing safety precautions, these animals remain unpredictable, combining the thrill of a bucket-list safari with a degree of risk.

The recent death of an 80-year-old U.S. citizen , tragically killed by a bull elephant, is a stark reminder of this. The incident occurred during a Wilderness game drive in Zambia’s Kafue National Park on 30 March. 

Wildnerness issued a statement confirming the fatal attack.

“At around 09h30 on Saturday, the six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant. Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation were such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” said Keith Vincent, Wilderness CEO.

The incident has spotlighted safety measures for Africa’s diverse safari adventures, from  Big Five spotting  and mountain gorilla trekking to more exposed walking safaris. These experiences can bring you face-to-face with some of the world’s most majestic wildlife. 

Guiding Training and Safety Measures: 

Very little industry data exists on fatalities related to wildlife safari experiences, as incidents involving the death of tourists are rare. Industry experts estimate that on average less than two deaths are reported a year, despite millions of travellers booking safaris annually. 

Safari safety across the industry isn’t regulated by one specific organisation. Instead, standards are set by various bodies and associations across the continent, including adherence to sustainable and safe tourism practices and industry certification for guides. These measures contribute to high safety levels in safari operations across Africa.

Here’s a guide to the most popular safaris, an estimated thrill level, and suggested safety tips to ensure you remain safe and secure during your experience: 

Big Five Safari Game Drives

• Thrill Level:  High
• Safety Measures:  encounters with lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos can all be unpredictable. Always remain within the vehicle, follow your guide’s instructions, and keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid attracting attention. When spotting elephants, maintain a safe distance, especially from mothers with calves. Males are susceptible to a  condition known as Musth , which makes them more energetic and irritable. It’s crucial to have an experienced guide who can read the environment and the animal’s behaviour.

Night Game Drives

• Safety Measures:  The cover of darkness adds an element of unpredictability. Staying inside the safari vehicle, using only the guide’s spotlight, and keeping quiet enhances safety during these thrilling excursions.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

• Safety Measures:  Gorilla trekking in countries like Rwanda and Uganda is a unique experience. A qualified guide will brief you on respectful behavior, such as not making direct eye contact and keeping a safe distance to prevent the transmission of diseases to this vulnerable species.  

Cheetah Encounters

• Thrill Level:  Moderate
• Safety Measures:  Cheetahs are generally less aggressive towards humans, but maintaining a quiet and still presence helps prevent startling them and ensures a peaceful observation.
• Safety Measures:  Walking in the bush brings you closer to nature but requires strict adherence to the guide’s directions. Always walk in single file, stay quiet, and don’t stray from the group.

Horse Riding Safari on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Botswana Makgadikgadi Pans

Price on Request

Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park Discovery

Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Botswana Chobe Chobe River Southern Africa

From $ 2130 /USD

Affordable Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari

Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Botswana Chobe Southern Africa

From $ 2340 /USD

Bird Watching

• Thrill Level:  Low
• Safety Measures:  Birdwatching is generally safe, but being aware of your surroundings is essential, especially in areas where larger wildlife roams.

Hippo and Crocodile River Tours

• Thrill Level:  Moderate to High
• Safety Measures:  When in boats or on riverbanks, it’s vital to keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and follow all safety instructions, as hippos and crocodiles can be extremely dangerous.

Rhino Tracking

• Safety Measures:  Rhino sightings are a rare privilege due to their endangered status. Keeping a safe distance and remaining downwind ensures your safety and the rhinos’ comfort.
• Wildebeest Migration
• Safety Measures:  The Great Migration is a spectacular event to witness. Observing from a vehicle and keeping to designated areas prevents disturbing the animals and ensures a safe experience.

Basic Safari Safety Tips:

• Always choose a reputable safari operator with experienced guides.
• Stay in your vehicle unless instructed otherwise.
• Listen to and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
• Wear neutral-colored clothing to blend into the environment.
• Avoid loud noises or sudden movements that could startle wildlife.

Remember, every safari adventure is unique, and respecting wildlife is paramount to ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience. Adventure awaits, but safety always comes first – contact us to discuss  any added concerns or considerations you might have about planning your safari. 

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Is Going on Safari Dangerous?

Tips on how to stay safe

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Every safari has an element of danger; that's what makes it exciting. While many of the animals you'll encounter can be dangerous , the four that you really have to watch out for are—elephant, lion, buffalo , and hippo (add crocodiles to that list if you're near water).

Most safari operators and guides at the various lodges and game reserves will stress basic precautions you need to take while game viewing. It will also help if you follow basic safari etiquette. If you are on safari in smaller, more remote game parks or encounter wildlife outside of game parks, here are some general rules to follow:

If You Are in a Vehicle

• Always stay in your car. When driving in a game park remain in your vehicle. Only get out at designated "hides" and follow the rules that will be posted. There have been several fatalities that occurred because a hapless tourist has wandered out of their vehicle, camera in hand, to get a closer shot of an elephant or lion. It may sound silly, but it happens.
• Don't stand up or stick anything out of the car . Many safari vehicles are open-topped, and the wildlife is generally accustomed to these. But, if you stand up or wave something around on the side, some animals will get annoyed and consequently aggressive. You also have to remember that poaching is rife in many areas, and anything that looks like a gun can trigger a very nasty response from a wild animal.
• Drive slowly and carefully . During the wet season, the grass can get quite high, and it's not always possible to tell when a large buffalo or elephant will decide to step into the middle of the road. Remember, you have to stop if this happens. Buffalos and elephants are not in the least bit afraid or impressed by you or your car.
• Keep your windows up . If you are in a car with windows, it's better to keep them closed. You could end up being harassed by baboons as you drive through the more popular game parks. They are so habituated to cars they are not afraid to leap upon them and dent the roof. You don't want one inside your vehicle.

If You Are on Foot

If you are on a walking safari, you will no doubt be briefed on safety by your guides. But, there are times when you'll be walking in Africa and encounter wildlife without a guide. You could run into elephants even in the middle of town. Baboons are also a menace in many places and a lot larger than you think. Here are some basic tips if you encounter wildlife eye to eye:

• Try and stay downwind from the animal . If the animal catches your scent, it will know you are there, and you have no idea whether this will make it angry or afraid.
• If an animal you approach looks hostile, make sure you are not in the way of its escape route . Give the animal a clear birth and don't make any noise to aggravate the situation further.
• Walk away slowly . If you encounter an animal that doesn't like your presence move back slowly and quietly.
• Avoid swimming in rivers or lakes unless you are absolutely sure there are no hippos or crocodiles. Hippos are the most dangerous of all the big animals. They feed on the banks of the river, and if they sense danger will charge and attack whatever lies in their path in order to get back to the safety of the water.
• If you are camping out in the open, always make sure you have something covering you even if it's just a mosquito net. Hyenas like to check out camps for leftover food and are especially attracted to protruding objects, so keep your feet and nose inside that tent or net.
• Always wear boots and socks when walking around the bush . There are plenty of venomous snakes and scorpions around that could bite you.
• Don't walk around at night in areas where you know there is wildlife present that can be potentially harmful to you. That includes the beaches and around lakes where hippos graze between tents on a camping safari. Also, be careful in towns. Hyenas wander around freely in the capital city of Lilongwe in Malawi, so always be cautious.

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Safari park worker mauled by lion relives moment big cat tore through her leg ‘like butter’

Laura fagen suffered 10 flesh wounds on her legs and feet as a result of the attack in south africa, article bookmarked.

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A safari park worker mauled by a lion has spoken of the moment the animal tore through her leg “like butter”.

Lauren Fagen, then 18, was cleaning out the cages of two lions at the Moholoholo rehab centre, South Africa in 2013 when they attacked her and one of them bit her leg .

Duma the lion reached through the bars of his cage and dragged Ms Fagen’s legs through an open gap.

Ms Fagen, who is from Quebec, Canada, was saved by fellow volunteer and British vet Natalie Bennett, who tried to fight off the lions with a broom.

In a new book called Bite Club , Ms Fagen told author Dougie Wight: “Duma stuck his entire leg through the bars, nearly the full length of it because of how far I was away.”

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“Before I could react he got me with the tip of his nail into the middle of my right calf,” she continued.

“It was like butter, it went right in. I felt a thud - he had pulled me on to my back, I hit the ground and was looking up at the ceiling..

“He sliced open my leg. It looked like what you would see at the butcher, like something from a dead cow that would hang from the ceiling. I thought, That can’t be my leg because that’s not what … wait, it is my leg.

Ms Fagen started to scream for help and kicked with her other leg but the lion immediately pulled it through the bars up to the groin.

Duma’s female mate Tree then joined in the attack, gnawing at Ms Fagen’s feet.

The park worker suffered 10 flesh wounds on her legs and feet as a result of the attack.

She described how her left kneecap “nearly came completely off and was hanging by a piece of skin”.

Looking back at the attack 10 years on, the now 28 year-old said that while she suffered muscle and nerve damage “it could’ve been a lot worse.”

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American woman, 79, killed during African safari after elephant charges truck

A Minnesota woman died after her tour vehicle was charged by an elephant during a safari in Africa.

Gail Mattson, who was 79, was on safari at Kafue National Park in western Zambia on March 30 when a bull elephant approached her tour group’s truck, which was carrying six tourists and a guide.

The elephant ran toward the truck and flipped it over, as seen in a video shared on social media that appears to show the incident. 

Mattson’s daughter, Rona Wells, confirmed that her mother passed away while on safari, writing in an April 2 Facebook post that her mom “lost her life in a tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

The tour company that operated Mattson’s tour, Wilderness, confirmed in an April 2 press release that an American tourist died after a tour vehicle was “unexpectedly charged” by an “aggressive bull elephant.’

“Our guides are extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” Keith Vincent, the CEO of Wilderness, said in a statement. 

Another female tourist was injured in the incident, and four other guests received treatment for minor injuries, according to Wilderness.

The tour company also said in a statement that Mattson’s body would be repatriated to the United States with help from Zambian authorities and the U.S. embassy in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital.

This incident came after another situation involving an aggressive elephant occurred in South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park last month.

In a video captured by a tourist that appears to show the moment, the elephant can be seen charging a safari tour truck and lifting it with its tusks. No one was hurt in that incident. 

These types of frightening run-ins with wildlife are quite rare during safaris, Marlon du Toit, a professional safari guide and wildlife photographer, told NBC News. 

Commenting on the fatal incident in Zambia, du Toit said “it’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate react so aggressively.” 

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I’ve never had an encounter as aggressive (as) that with elephants,” he added.

He also told NBC News that he had worked with the tour company involved in the Zambia incident for years, and called them one of the best in Africa.

“Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands  of guests on safari on a daily basis, with no negative consequences,” he said.

Lindsay Lowe has been a regular contributor to TODAY.com since 2016, covering pop culture, style, home and other lifestyle topics. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England.

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Saudi tourist trampled to death by elephant on safari in Uganda

The animal charged at the man after he got out of a car in the country’s largest safari park, authorities say

A Saudi tourist has been trampled to death by an elephant during a game drive at a popular park in Uganda , a wildlife official says.

The attack happened on Tuesday at the Murchison Falls national park when the man left the vehicle he was travelling in with friends, said Uganda wildlife authority spokesman Bashir Hangi.

“They stopped along the way and the deceased went out of the car, an elephant charged at him, killed him on the spot,” Hangi said in a statement.

The victim was identified as Ayman Sayed Elshahany.

Park officials said police would investigate Elshahany’s death as they reviewed security protocols to “avoid repeat of such incidents”.

Animal attacks are not unheard of in the east African country. In 2018, a leopard snatched and ate the three-year-old son of a female game ranger at another park in the west of the country.

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Charging elephant kills an American woman on 'bucket list trip' in Zambia

An American woman who was on what she had called her "last big trip" was killed when a charging elephant flipped over the car she was traveling in at a national park in Zambia .

The “aggressive” creature buffeted the vehicle carrying six tourists and a guide, tour operator Wilderness said in a statement Tuesday. It said the 79-year-old victim died after Saturday's incident on a game drive at the Kafue National Park in western Zambia.

The company did not name the victim but Rona Wells, her daughter, identified her as Gail Mattson in a post on Facebook. She said her mother died in a “tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

A video circulating on social media apparently showing the incident shows a large elephant running toward a car, which slows down as the animal approaches its left side. The elephant then flips the vehicle over and the passengers can be heard gasping as the car rolls over.

NBC News does not know the condition or identity of the person who filmed the video.

Photos shared online of the car, which is emblazoned with the logo of the tour operator, show it tipped onto its side after the incident, with a deep dent in two of its side doors.

Wilderness, which describes itself as a “leading conservation and hospitality company” operating in eight African countries, including Zambia, did not respond to NBC News when asked to confirm the authenticity of the video and the photos.

But the tour operator’s CEO, Keith Vincent, said in the statement that the company’s “guides are all extremely well trained and experienced.”

"Sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he added.

Another woman was also injured in the incident and taken to a medical facility in South Africa, the Wilderness statement said, adding that four others were treated for minor injuries.

“It’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate,” Marlon du Toit, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, told the “TODAY” show Thursday. “Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands of guests on safari on a daily basis with no negative consequences.”

The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” the statement added.

NBC News has reached out to Mattson's family for further comment.

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, according to its website, and spans an area of more than 8,000 square miles. Vast regions of the park remain unexplored and the website says it is home to a variety of untamed wildlife.

A 'bucket list trip'

Mattson spent her winters in Sun City West, Arizona, playing bridge and cards, but during the rest of the year, she "travels all over the world," her friend Brenda Biggs told NBC News. Biggs and her husband, John Longabauth, became friends with Mattson when they moved to the area 6 ½ years ago.

Longabauth said Mattson spoke to the couple about her upcoming safari trip about two weeks ago, and called it "one of her bucket list trips." He said she was very excited for the adventure.

Before she left, she gave the couple concert tickets for a show that would happen while she was traveling, telling them to enjoy the concert and "I'll see you when I get back," Longabauth recalled of the conversation.

Biggs said Mattson, who was almost 80 years old, told her that the African safari was her "my last big trip." She said Mattson was "super excited because it was like the culmination of all the trips that she had gone on."

An avid traveler, Mattson took to trips to Europe and Asia, Longabauth recalled, noting that she might have been to South America, too.

Biggs called her friend "flamboyant," "friendly" and "fabulous" and said she loved bright colors. Mattson had taken over Biggs’ job as the event planner for their 200-member bridge club, she said.

"Gail was one of the more up people you'd ever want to meet," Longabauth said. "She was always up. She was always optimistic. She was always seeing the good side of everybody."

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Is Going on Safari Dangerous? Your Safety Questions Answered

Is going on safari dangerous? If you spend time on the Internet, then you may have come across videos of safari attacks on humans by animals. You may even have read or heard grizzly stories about tourists killed in African safaris. Of course, this can raise concerns about ticking off this bucket list adventure.

Feeling concerned or fearful about safety on safari is natural. After all, you’d be venturing into the vast wilderness (likely with companions), where dangerous beasts roam free, and there have been accidents. That being said, the experience isn’t nearly as hazardous as some would have you believe.

Is Going on Safari Dangerous?

Whenever human beings expose themselves to wild, unrestrained animals in nature, there will always be an element of danger. This is partly what makes safari expeditions exciting. However, on safaris in Africa , game reserves take every precaution to ensure the safety of guests during game drives and walks.

The key to remaining safe on game drives and safari walks is to listen to your safari guide. This is of great importance, as not following instructions can result in accidents and injuries. Respect your surroundings and the fact that you are in the wild. Do this and you will enjoy a safe, unforgettable experience.

Do Animals Attack Safari Vehicles?

Wild animals rarely attack or even approach or acknowledge safari vehicles. They are used to the traffic of safari-goers and have adapted to seeing them outdoors. When animals do approach the trucks, it usually because they are seeking shade or camouflage for prey that they are stalking for food.

Now, is going on safari dangerous? It can be, but it seldom is. Safari trucks and tourists are scenery to bush animals, and safari game rangers are experienced and well trained. Should an animal approach, then your driver will tell you how to behave (close windows, sit, stand, etc.) and interact with it.

An African rhino doing his thing as safari tourists look on.

What Is the Safari Death Rate?

It is quite difficult to find information related to fatal safari incidents. This is because all deaths caused by wild animals in Africa are categorised into one group. The deaths that do occur normally do not involve tourists, though. They involve locals and villagers while farming and going about their daily lives.

Deaths that have occurred while on safari are very few, so few that they do not even feature on country statistics for safari destinations. Every year, millions of people go safariing in Africa . On average, perhaps one tourist dies as a result of harmful interactions with wild animals in the bushveld.

What Is the Most Dangerous Animal on Safaris?

Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, hippos and buffalo… You’ll encounter them all in Africa, depending on when and where you go, and they can all be dangerous. The biggest threat to your health and life, however, is not a member of the Big Five or some other large creature. Rather, it is the pesky mosquito.

Although the tiny mosquito looks far less impressive than Africa’s many sizeable beasts, it can be extremely dangerous. Mozzies carry many potentially deadly diseases, including malaria. The good news is that the risk of contraction is miniscule. Moreover, bites can be prevented if you know what to wear on safari .

The most deadly animal (insect) in Africa, the mosquito!

Is It Safe to Go on Safari?

So then, is going on safari dangerous or is it safe to go on a safari in Africa? African safaris, if you plan well and follow the rules, are not only safe but also incredibly enjoyable. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget, and statistically, you are much safer on safari than you are driving to work in the mornings.

For more information regarding safety on safaris, particularly safaris in South Africa, you can contact Safaris Down South here . You may also want to check out our other safari blogs .

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American tourist killed after elephant rammed truck on African safari seen smiling in photos before attack

T he American tourist killed by a charging bull elephant that flipped over their safari vehicle in Zambia over the weekend has been identified as an adventurous 79-year-old woman who wanted the trip to be her “last big adventure.”

Mattson, who was visiting from Minnesota, was pictured the day she was killed on the safari vehicle holding a flower, her grieving family told KSTP.

She was one of six tourists with the group Wilderness Zambia who were out on a game drive Saturday in Kafue National Park when they came under attack by the incensed animal.

Terrifying video footage shows the elephant chasing after the safari vehicle moments before it charged the group, tipping the truck over as the guide repeatedly yelled at the creature. 

The passenger continues to record as the elephant flips the vehicle over. 

Family told the outlet that the US Embassy contacted them about her death.

Loved ones described the 79-year-old as kind, adventurous and very active in her community.

“She had told us that this safari was going to be her last big adventure,” said  her friend  John Longabauth. “Because her birthday is in the summer — I think she was going to be 80, and she felt like she would start slowing down. To be honest, I don’t know if she’d slow down or not. But at least you wouldn’t be traveling as far, probably.”

Mattson split time between living in Minnesota and Arizona, her family said.

Her friends in Arizona held a memorial for her following her sudden death. 

According to the Safari company, one other guest was hurt and taken to a private medical facility.

The four other tourists on the trip were treated for minor injuries after the violent outburst.

The horrifying incident unfolded at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday during a game drive through Kafue National Park, Wilderness Zambia CEO Keith Vincent said in a statement. 

Kafue National Park’s management sent a helicopter to evacuate the victims. 

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident,” Vincent said.

The group of tourists had been staying at the luxurious Lufupa Camp in the Kafue National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa. 

The tour group is making arrangements for Mattson’s body to be returned to the US. 

Police and other authorities are investigating the incident. 

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80-year-old American tourist killed in elephant attack during game drive in Zambia

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HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A bull elephant charged a truck that an 80-year-old American was riding in with other tourists on a game drive in a Zambian national park, flipping over the vehicle and killing her, a safari company said.

The attack injured five others on March 30 in the vast Kafue National Park , which covers 22,400 square kilometers (8,600 square miles) and is one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

According to the safari company Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged at the truck, which was carrying six guests and a guide on a morning excursion through wild areas.

It wasn’t clear what upset the bull. But in a video widely circulated online, the pachyderm is seen menacingly charging through the bushy terrain toward the tourists’ vehicle. A man is heard shouting “hey hey hey,” in apparent but futile efforts to scare it away. It reaches the truck and flips it over using its trunk.

Another female tourist was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to South Africa for treatment while the rest were treated for minor injuries, the company said.

“This is a devastating incident for everyone involved and we are doing our best to support the family and all affected,” Tarryn Gibson, the safari company’s head of communications told The Associated Press on Thursday. Gibson did not identify the tourist who was killed, and said her family wished for privacy. The company also asked people to not share the video of the attack online.

While many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with dangerous animals like elephants and lions, such incidents are rare, although they sometimes do occur with fatal consequences due to the unpredictability of wild animals.

Keith Vincent, chief executive officer of the safari company, said rough terrain minimized chances of an escape.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” he said.

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Buffalo literally in spotlight while saving 'friend' from lion attack, share this article.

Dramatic footage shared Thursday shows the compelling moment that an African buffalo rushed in to save another buffalo from a savage lion attack.

As viewers can see, the male lion has one buffalo by the throat in what appears to be a death grip until another buffalo rushes in to scatter the pride and force the male lion to release its grip and flee.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Latest Sightings – Kruger (@latestkruger)

As the hero buffalo enters frame, a spotlight, presumably from a safari vehicle, shines on the rescue and both buffaloes. The massive bovines remain stationary and perhaps stunned briefly before wandering off.

The footage was shared by Latest Sightings , which features content captured in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and credited to Sara Zegut.

The video description: “Buffalo risks it all to save friend from lion’s death grip!”

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‘Untold harm to nature’ from wildlife trafficking, warns UN crime agency

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Despite two decades of worldwide efforts, more than 4,000 precious wildlife species still fall prey to trafficking every year, a new report by the UN crime and drugs prevention office, UNODC, showed on Monday. 

“Wildlife crime inflicts untold harm upon nature and it also jeopardizes livelihoods, public health, good governance and our planet’s ability to fight climate change,” said Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director.

The agency’s  World Wildlife Crime Report takes stock of the efforts to counter poaching worldwide. Although there are positive signs that trafficking of some iconic species has decreased, including elephants and rhinoceroses – thanks to the dismantling of large trafficking networks and the suppression of demand in key markets – the overall picture is still gloomy for thousands of protected plants and animals. 

Scope and harm 

Wildlife crime has a profound global impact whose ramifications aren’t always clearly understood, UNODC insists. 

Latest data on seized trafficked species from 2015 to 2021 across 162 countries and territories indicates that illegal trade affects roughly 4,000 plant and animal species with approximately 3,250 listed under the  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) . Over the reporting period, law enforcement bodies confiscated 13 million items totalling more than 16,000 tonnes.  

Despite its significant role in driving the extinction of numerous rare species such as orchids, succulents, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals, wildlife trafficking often goes unnoticed by the public, according to UN experts in wildlife crime prevention.

For example, illegal collection for trade is believed to have led to the recent extinction of several succulent plant species in South Africa. It has also caused substantial depletion of rare orchids, with newly discovered species quickly targeted by poachers and buyers.

In addition to directly threatening species populations, wildlife trafficking can disrupt delicate ecosystems and their functions, particularly undermining their ability to mitigate climate change.

Furthermore, experts in human and animal health have consistently raised concerns about the disease risks associated with wildlife trade in recent decades. These concerns encompass the direct transmission of diseases to humans from live animals, plants and wildlife products including bushmeat, as well as broader threats to wildlife populations, ecosystems and food production systems.

A powerful enemy

The analysis of over 140,000 wildlife species traffic seizures from 2015 to 2021 reveals the intricate involvement of powerful organized crime groups in exploiting fragile ecosystems worldwide, from the Amazon to the Golden Triangle (broadly encompassing northeastern Myanmar, northwestern Thailand and northern Laos). Transnational criminal networks engage in various stages of the trade chain, including export, import, brokering, storage, breeding and selling to customers.

Traffickers continuously adapt their methods and routes to evade detection and prosecution, exploiting regulatory loopholes and enforcement weaknesses, UNODC said. Corruption further exacerbates the plight of plants and animals, with officials often turning a blind eye to violations. Despite this, wildlife crime cases are rarely prosecuted under corruption charges, allowing perpetrators to escape punishment. 

“To address this crime, we must match the adaptability and agility of the illegal wildlife trade. This demands strong, targeted interventions at both the demand and the supply side of the trafficking chain, efforts to reduce criminal incentives and profits, and greater investment in data, analysis, and monitoring capacities,” UNODC’s Ghada Waly said.

There’s hope

Recent analyses of illegal trafficking in elephants and rhinoceroses have demonstrated that a comprehensive strategy which addresses both demand and supply has yielded good results. But this approach must also be combined with a heightened policy focus, stricter market regulations and targeted law enforcement actions against major traffickers. There have been significant decreases in poaching, seizures, and market prices for these species over the past decade, UNODC noted.

• wildlife protection

Surveillance Safari: Crowdsourcing an anti-poaching movement in South Africa

In South Africa’s Balule Nature Reserve, an all-female anti-poaching unit is using live streaming and Samsung’s smartphone technology to support its conservation efforts and enlist volunteers from around the world.

For upwards of three million years, we humans and our antecedents have used tools to interface with the natural world around us. But in the last few decades, the human population has exploded and our tools today are having globally damaging impacts, transforming biomes across the planet. Yet our technologies also have the potential to mend our relationship with nature, protecting ecosystems and recovering lost biodiversity–if we develop and deploy them in the right ways.

The earliest stone tools were discovered in Africa–a continent that also harbors some of the world’s most iconic wild animal species, including the so-called “Big Five”–elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo. So, it’s relevant and appropriate that Samsung, one of the world’s leading consumer electronics companies, is working alongside conservationists in South Africa to protect these animals and others like them.

In 2020 the Kruger National Park faced a crisis. Covering just under 20,000 square kilometers of South Africa’s northeast quarter, Kruger is one of Africa’s biggest game reserves, typically attracting around one million visitors each year, many of whom come to see the Big Five. When South Africa entered the first phase of COVID-19 lockdowns on March 27, 2020, those visitors vanished. This spelled trouble.

“Resources for animals, rangers and anti-poaching units were vastly depleted,” says conservationist and digital marketing expert Peter Stewart. “Many local people who worked in ecotourism lost their jobs, so there was a much higher risk of informal poaching.”

This was especially true of the iconic rhinos that are a particular target for poaching gangs in Kruger National Park.

Stewart is a partner at Africam, a wildlife media company that uses live HD streaming cameras to support conservation education around the world. He and his team were approached by Samsung with a possible means of compensating for the crash in visitor numbers and the commensurate dangers this posed to wildlife in the park: If people couldn’t come to Kruger, what if Samsung and Africam could bring the park to them–or more precisely to their mobile devices?

By combining Africam’s live streaming infrastructure with the advanced camera systems and mobile technology of the latest Samsung Galaxy devices, the new partnership would build a global community of virtual rangers who could, in theory, monitor wildlife around the clock. The result was Wildlife Watch–a pilot program launched on March 3, 2021, which installed Samsung Galaxy S20 FE handsets, repurposed specifically for surveillance, in the Balule Nature Reserve – an around 99,000-acre tract of land on the eastern edge of Kruger National Park.

For Hungry Minds

Wildlife Watch also enlisted the Black Mambas–the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit, consisting of 36 rangers. The Mambas were provided with Samsung smartphones to help them monitor wildlife, communicate with one another, and document their day-to-day work. Real-time tracking meant they didn’t have to rely on radios, plus fellow rangers could, for example, respond more swiftly to the presence of poachers or a pride of lions.

Wildlife Watch recorded more than seven million social engagements over a four-month period, as humans everywhere turned to their mobile devices to connect with the outside world. In one instance, virtual rangers identified a wild dog with a snare on one of its legs. They quickly alerted rangers, who removed the snare and gave the animal medical treatment. What’s more, the Black Mambas were a hit with global audiences and have since become important role models in their communities.

“Our mission is to show people that we are here and we're patrolling the boundaries of the reserve to make the Kruger National Park an undesirable place for poachers,” says Sergeant Felicia Mogakane of the Black Mambas. “People started to believe in us because they've really seen our impact—that our model is effective… we are protecting the wildlife in there. Ever since we've been deployed, no rhino has been killed in our reserve.”

Following the success of the Wildlife Watch pilot, Samsung, Africam and the Black Mambas recently announced an expansion of the program. The second phase launched to the public on March 4, 2023 and makes use of the advanced camera systems in the latest Galaxy S21 Ultra and S23 Ultra handsets, including enhanced low-light capabilities and 10 times optical zoom to generate HD video day and night. The technology continues to support the Black Mambas in their work, not only protecting iconic wildlife in the Balule Nature Reserve, but also engaging with people in rural communities, many of whom have never seen species like lion, elephant and rhino.

This second phase also tested the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 as an additional means of monitoring movements in the reserve. The tags are a great way for the Black Mambas to orient themselves in the reserve, providing location markers for things like camera traps, signs of infraction or evidence of animal behaviors. The Galaxy SmartTags can be tracked using SmartThings Find, part of Samsung’s SmartThings connected ecosystem, which provides personalized and automated experiences using AI.

The wild habitats that remain in sub-Saharan Africa continue to face threats from human encroachment, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. It is estimated that the region as a whole has lost around 50 percent of its large mammals in the past few decades. Whether we like it or not, we are the custodians of these spaces and their future survival depends on us. Mobile technologies are crucial to the future of conservation—they provide vital tools on the ground for ranger units like the Black Mambas. But they also amplify local issues and perspectives, giving global audiences the opportunity not only to learn about these unique ecosystems and species, but also to play an active part in conserving them.

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Foxes that attacked Tucson museum worker test positive for rabies

Two foxes tested positive for rabies after attacking a Tucson museum worker on Wednesday, according to the Arizona Department of Game and Fish.

The foxes attacked a worker on Wednesday morning at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, but the worker did not sustain any injuries.

Game and Fish employees conducted a brief search, located and euthanized the two foxes who were suspected of being rabid.

Officials announced rabies test results were positive for both foxes.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum did not immediately respond to questions on whether the employee's status changed after the positive test results.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum said the facility took precautions and treated the employee as if the foxes were rabid to being with.

While the grounds of the museum were considered safe enough to reopen by Friday, Game and Fish said the residents in the area should leave immediately if they observe ill or aggressive wildlife and report the sighting to 623-236-7201.

Game and Fish added that anyone attacked by a wild animal should get a rabies shot.

Are cases of rabies on the rise in Arizona?

With 2024 now adding two new confirmed cases, the state was up to 24 total wild animals that tested positive for rabies, according to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Of those confirmed rabies cases, 13 were foxes, with four in Tucson based Pima County, one each in Greenlee and Pinal Counties, and seven in Navajo County.

The total number of people exposed to rabies after the museum attack was now up to eight statewide for 2024, according to the data.

Anne Justice-Allen, wildlife veterinarian for Game and Fish, said cases of rabies across the state were not generally higher than average this year, but that an overall trend in more rabies cases had been seen in the past two years.

In 2022, there were a total of 49 animals positive for rabies and 59 cases in 2023, according to data provided by Justice-Allen.

The expert vet added that foxes and skunks were abundant after significant winter and summer rain across the state, making the environment ideal for these animals — and rabies — to thrive in the wild.

What animal attacks linked to rabies have happened in 2024?

The new attack adds to a concentration of three fox attacks in the Tucson in 2024.

The newest attack at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum makes the sixth time a fox attacked a person in the Tucson area, most of the cases linked to what is believed to be a rabid fox.

On April 4, a now-euthanized fox near the Hugh Norris Trail in Saguaro National Park attacked three people, all of whom had to be treated for rabies.

On March 28, a  gray fox was captured and euthanized  after the animal attacked a person in Tucson.

In December 2023, a suspected rabid gray  fox also aggressively attacked two people  near the Molino Base Campground in southern Arizona.

How can you stay safe from rabies?

The Arizona Department of Health Services said rabies is a serious viral disease that can be fatal if left untreated, and that anyone who may have been exposed to it or attacked by a wild animal should seek treatment.

Rabies is a virus spread by the bite of an infected animal or contact with infected saliva, causing damage to the central nervous system.

The Health Department said Arizonans should not touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, noting that rabies can occur in domestic animals like cats and dogs that often come in contact with infected wildlife.

The Health Department added that rabies was common in foxes as the animals were distributed in all but one Arizona county, Mohave, and that the variant of the virus is often transmitted to other desert dweller animals like coyotes, bobcats and javelina.

People should take special precautions to protect pets and children and seek immediate medical or veterinary attention.

The Health Department provided a list of the following tips;

• Keep people and pets away from wild animals.
• Never leave pet food in your yard because it will attract wild animals.
• Do not pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones.
• If you have been bitten or scratched, or had contact with an animal, wash the wound or area well with soap and water, and report it immediately to  animal control  or  health officials .
• Do not "rescue" abandoned young wild animals.
• Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies.
• Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper.
• Keep pets on a leash or in a fenced yard.
• Wear impermeable gloves when skinning carcasses.
• Do not disturb roosting bats.
• If you find a bat on the ground, don't touch it. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Try to preserve the bat so it is intact for testing at a laboratory. Report the bat and its location to  animal control  or  health officials .
• Teach children not to handle or touch sick or injured animals including bats.
• Report all animal bites to  animal control  or  health officials .