Ranger apologises for charging elephant in Kruger

Posted on 15 May 2013

People have done some stupid things in game parks before (video: curiosity almost kills the cameraman) but this daring display of diminished brain function takes the cake. The whole cake. In fact, someone should hit him with a baking tray.

The incident happened in the Kruger National Park and was posted on Youtube by Kruger Sightings on Monday. It was later found that it was an off-duty safari guide at Singita, who really should have known better. Fortunately for him, the ellie backed away.

Singita sacks guide

According to SA Tourism Update, Singita conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, fired the guide and is taking further disciplinary procedures with regard to the others involved.

“We appreciate your patience throughout this process. We cannot stress enough that the behaviour displayed in this video completely contradicts Singita’s guiding ethos and values toward conservation and wildlife preservation,” said a spokesperson from Singita.

Statement by guide

A friend of the field guide responsible posted a statement from the guide on the website Look Local about the incident:

“As a result of the recent spread of video content portraying a game ranger confronting a wild elephant I would like to acknowledge that I am responsible for the incident and sincerely regret my harmful and dangerous behaviour. I completely agree with comments that have been made about the unprofessional and unethical treatment of animals. I admit full responsibility for the actions and am deeply, deeply remorseful.

There has been a lot of baying for blood and a campaign to name and shame so here I am. I am so sorry this happened and I wish I could undo the stupidity of the act but I can’t; all I can do is apologize and hope people can see the sincerity I am trying to convey. Firstly the fact that some people are trying to attach my act, which I did alone, to the company mentioned, is ridiculous. The fact that the extremely good work it has done all over Africa is now being questioned due to the stupid actions of one person is beyond belief. The company in question currently conserves over half a million acres of land across Africa, provides 19 000 meals to school children daily and is throwing major resource and people into a host of conservation projects across the continent and those who now feel that the action of one, now undermines everything it has built up and stands for is crazy and for that I am also extremely sorry.

This has already cost me my reputation and job and has undone all the work I have done in the fields of ground hornbill and elephant research over the last 13 years. The fact that for the months leading up to and after this incident many nights were spent sitting out in the bush after a full day’s work trying to do our part in slowing this terrible tide of rhino poaching gets very quickly forgotten. For years spent facilitating people’s introduction to this beautiful continent be it on foot or vehicle and getting people passionate about conserving these wild areas, this incident makes me extremely sad; all the hard work I have done is undone in 45 seconds of folly. For those of you who know me I am sure you’ll agree that this was done with no malice, merely poor judgement.

It pleases me to see so many people standing up and saying this type of behaviour is unacceptable because it is and you should be angry. I ask that you vent your anger at me and don’t drag the name of an amazing company through the mud for something that they clearly had no hand in. But also look carefully at yourself and ask if there was anything you have done in the past that had it been caught on camera could have had negative consequences. I hope you will have room for forgiveness as you understand how these mistakes can be made.”

My thoughts

These rangers are out there day in and day out living and working side by side with wild animals and I can understand how a mixture of Klippies and Coke (or whatever it was), 15 years of elephant research and bush-forged courage could lead to one running wildly, arms flailing into the open veld towards an elephant. I really don’t think it was intended maliciously. Still, a firing (and probably a hiding from his dad) was probably in order. And I still think he’s lucky that elephant didn’t turn him into human fishpaste.

Your thoughts?






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