Family members and friends are still trying to come terms with the shocking news of the untimely death of a former Laudium resident, Shabeer Shaik Adam, who was trampled by an aggressive bull (male) elephant this past weekend.
What started as a relaxing and peaceful family outing for the day, turned into a horrific nightmare after tragedy struck. It is believed that 57 year old Shabeer and his family including children and grandchildren were at the Malelane Gate side of the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, when the nightmare for the family began. The shocking incident occurred in the late afternoon of last Saturday (Jan 25) soon after 5pm, as the family was preparing to leave the park. According to eyewitnesses, a young elephant that was nearby was acting extremely agitated and suddenly charged towards the children who were playing near the refreshment area. It is believed that the elephant went ‘crazy’ as it was in a state of ‘musth’ (a periodic condition in bull elephants characterised by aggressive behaviour and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones). It is then that Shabeer, who was well built and a fitness fanatic known for his physical strength, without hesitation rushed to protect the children.
According to a family member who spoke to the Laudium Sun, that is when the tragic turn of events occurred. “The elephant snatched Shabeer and held him up with its powerful trunk, flung him into the air, and then trampled on him when he landed on the ground”. The clearly agitated bull is believed to have hit Shabeer’s head with its trunk, leaving him critically wounded and bleeding profusely. Despite paramedics arriving soon thereafter, all attempts to save Shabeer failed and he unfortunately passed on about 20 minutes after being attacked by the elephant.
Local resident, Saber Gani from ‘We Feed Them’ organisation, the brother-in-law of Shabeer told the Laudium Sun, “We are all devastated, more so Shabeer’s family especially the children who witnessed the elephant attacking him. He was a strong man, a protector and at the end he gave his life defending his family.”
Abdul Kader Kurtha (KK) a cousin of Shabeer, told the Laudium Sun, “Shabeer was more than just family, he was our pillar of strength. He was a man of discipline, kindness, and incredible generosity. Whether it was his dedication to his family, his passion for fitness, or his willingness to help others, he always gave his all. He was the kind of person who would put himself in harm’s way to protect those he loved and tragically, that’s exactly what he did in his final moments. His loss has left a void that can never be filled, but his courage and selflessness will forever be remembered.” KK said.
*Shabeer who previously lived on Himalaya Street in Laudium, had since moved in 2023 to Piet Retief, in Mpumalanga, which he made his new home. He is survived by his wife, Nazeera, three children-two daughters and a son, as well as four grandchildren. A fitness enthusiast, he was a regular at the Al Ghazali Gym in Erasmia and was known for his strength and dedication in helping others.
Shabeer was buried the following day, (Sunday, Jan 26) in Piet Retief, following a post mortem being held to determine the exact cause of his death. In a statement issued, SAN Parks who are responsible for the Kruger National Park, said, “A tourist was killed by an elephant on Saturday in South Africa’s famous Kruger Park. A tragic accident occurred when a tourist was charged and trampled by an elephant near Crocodile River at Malelane Gate. This regrettably resulted in a loss of life. Additional details will be released in due course.”
Park officials have urged visitors to the park to remain cautious around wildlife, emphasizing that elephants in musth period, can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous. This latest incident raises concerns about safety measures within Kruger National Park, where wildlife encounters on humans can many times turn deadly.