Elephant tramples handler who used stick to force him to give rides
- 7 years ago
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE — A bull elephant who'd been beaten into providing rides for years finally gave his handler a taste of his own medicine.
The 30-year-old elephant, Mbanje, had long been bullied by his handler, Enock Kufandada, 50, into giving rides to tourists. Enock reportedly used a stick to get Mbanje to follow his orders. On July 22, having lined up a new group of tourists, Enock went to retrieve the elephant, and that's when Mbanje finally snapped.
The elephant stomped the hell out of his handler, and according to Signs of the Times, witnesses say a bloody hole in Enock's chest may have come from the very stick he used to beat Mbanje. Enock was quickly thrashed all the way to the grave, but officials insist the British and American tourists waiting nearby did not catch a glimpse of what was left of him.
Enock's colleagues were quick to take Mbanje out, as he was still in a rage and they were worried he may be a threat to others. This was reportedly the third time Mbanje had gone after Enock. Clement Mukwasi of the Employers Association of Tourism and Safari Operators admitted elephants are known to "keep grudges" for years when mistreated by handlers.
In a statement, non-profit organization World Animal Protection called the incident "another sad reminder that elephants are wild animals and should not be ridden."
The 30-year-old elephant, Mbanje, had long been bullied by his handler, Enock Kufandada, 50, into giving rides to tourists. Enock reportedly used a stick to get Mbanje to follow his orders. On July 22, having lined up a new group of tourists, Enock went to retrieve the elephant, and that's when Mbanje finally snapped.
The elephant stomped the hell out of his handler, and according to Signs of the Times, witnesses say a bloody hole in Enock's chest may have come from the very stick he used to beat Mbanje. Enock was quickly thrashed all the way to the grave, but officials insist the British and American tourists waiting nearby did not catch a glimpse of what was left of him.
Enock's colleagues were quick to take Mbanje out, as he was still in a rage and they were worried he may be a threat to others. This was reportedly the third time Mbanje had gone after Enock. Clement Mukwasi of the Employers Association of Tourism and Safari Operators admitted elephants are known to "keep grudges" for years when mistreated by handlers.
In a statement, non-profit organization World Animal Protection called the incident "another sad reminder that elephants are wild animals and should not be ridden."