Zimbabwean conservation officials blamed poachers after an elephant trampled a South African man to death in Zimbabwe, Beeld reported on Thursday.
Johnny Rodrigues, chairman of the Zimbabwean Conservation Task Force, said that 55-year-old Don Hornsby from Bedfordview in Johannesburg, was attacked by an elephant at Mutsadona near Lake Kariba last week.
Hornsby was apparently trying to take a photo of the animal.
“Don and some friends were fishing from the bank of the lake when the elephants came to drink water. He was running to fetch his camera when the elephant charged at him.
“Usually the rule at the lake is that people may only catch fish from their boats, and not from the banks - because the animals drink there. I don't know why they were on the bank. As a passionate conservationist, Don would have been especially aware of the ways of nature and the tension of the elephants,” said Rodrigues.
He said elephants in Zimbabwe have been so traumatised by poachers that they charge at anyone these days.
Hornsby's remains will arrive in South Africa this week and a memorial service will be held in Johannesburg on Saturday. - Sapa