Overview

• Two women aged 68 and 67 were killed on a sunrise walking safari near Big Lagoon Camp when a female elephant with a calf charged their group in South Luangwa National Park.
• Safari guides and an armed wildlife police officer fired warning shots that wounded the elephant but were unable to stop the attack.
• Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the victims died at the scene and said an investigation has been opened.
• Walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park include armed rangers and strict buffer rules, but this incident has exposed gaps in enforcement and visitor safety protocols.
• Following this attack and previous elephant fatalities in Africa and Asia, authorities and tour operators face pressure to review walking safari guidelines and buffer-zone enforcement.