CAPE TOWN - The sheer strength of an elephant was on full display when the animal flipped over a car with a family still inside at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park said its officials were alerted to an elephant incident that took place at the Eastern Shores of the Park on the road to Cape Vidal at around midday on Sunday.
“A vehicle travelling to Cape Vidal with two adults and two children inside, came into contact with an elephant.
“The elephant reportedly pushed the vehicle with its tusks, and rolled the car on its side and its roof, with the passengers still inside,” the park said in a statement.
Park officials responded to the incident and rescued the family, with no severe injuries sustained by the passengers.
The family is reportedly from Mtunzini in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Although such incidents are not a common occurrence in iSimangaliso, we wish to caution our visitors to always remain vigilant and keep to a distance of at least 50 metres from wildlife, particularly the big five. Human-wildlife conflicts can and do happen since these animals are wild, and roaming freely in the park.
“We are grateful that no life was lost during this incident,” the statement read.
Following investigation into the incident by Park management, no further action will be taken against the elephant in question.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a World Heritage Site and South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the Lake St. Lucia estuary.
For more information on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, visit: isimangaliso.com.
Cape Times