Tourist, 63, killed by elephant at the Mara

A 63-year-old Belgian tourist died on Monday, October 17 after he was trampled by an elephant in the Masai Mara National Game Reserve.

The man, identified as Duchenne Henry Floris Ghistan, was on a leisure walk with his two friends at Talek area in the Mara when they encountered a herd of elephants.

One of the elephants got agitated by the strolling strangers when it crushed him.

According to Narok South Police boss, Phillip Kipkirui, the victim was rushed to Talek Health Center shortly after the attack but succumbed to his injuries.

The incident occurs barely a week after a boy was killed in Naikarra area, Narok West while walking to a neighboring village.

KWS Senior Warden from Narok County, Collins Omondi, said wild animals have in the past few weeks been moving to the nearby residential areas in search of food.

“The wild animals have been moving around in search of pastures following the prolonged drought in the area,” he said.

Duchenne was reportedly married to a local Maasai woman in Talek where they have constructed a leisure home that hosts tourists visiting Maasai Mara.

The deceased’s body was removed to Narok County Referral Hospital mortuary.