Tourists Miraculously Survived When an Enraged Elephant Capsized Their Canoe (5 photos + 1 video)
In Botswana, an elephant attacked tourists from the UK and the US. On Saturday, September 27, two couples were canoeing in the shallows of the Okavango Delta when their guides led them too close to a female elephant and two calves. The leader of the herd launched a furious defense. 
The elephant overturned the canoe, sending the tourists into crocodile-infested waters. The guides then rushed to the opposite bank of the river. The elephant, unabated, struck the woman with its trunk, knocking her down. He lost her in the murky water and abandoned the search after 10 seconds. This is what saved her from death.
A former South African ranger, upon seeing the video, noted: "They were very lucky, because the enraged elephant could have easily killed all four. If he had held the woman for a few more seconds, she would have drowned. So she can thank fate that that didn't happen. The elephant attacked to protect the calves. It seems the guides didn't consider how close they could get to letting tourists in and made a mistake that could have cost them their lives." 
The elephant attack occurred on World Tourism Day.
Three canoe safari companies declined to disclose the identity of the trip's organizers. However, one administrator said, "It was a group of British and American tourists."
"Expensive camera equipment and phones were damaged, but most importantly, no one was seriously injured. Wild animals can be very dangerous," she noted.
African elephants grow up to 3.8 meters at the shoulder, males average 5 tons, and can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h. Their population is estimated at 415,000 and they are endangered. They kill 500 people each year.
In July, two elderly tourists were killed while hiking in South Luangwa National Park, located in eastern Zambia. A female elephant with her calf spotted them and rushed to protect her offspring. Even a firearm failed to deter the animal. Easton Taylor, 68, of the United Kingdom, and Alison Taylor, 67, of New Zealand, were pronounced dead at the scene.
