A group of players had a tourist encounter to remember on their wild canoe safari. When an elephant charged at them, capsizing their boat and launching them into a world of chaotic flight. The arrest occurred only minutes after the delegation had entered the facility. The elephant may have been protecting its matriarchal herd, which included two young calves.
The now 10,000-pound elephant was running at the canoe. Eyewitness Larry Unrein recorded the conflict on video, providing evidence of the point when the elephant tipped the boat over. “What we did not see was the mom with the two babies,” Unrein stated, reflecting on the sudden nature of the encounter.
Jeff Melvin, one of the other tourists in the group, remembered what he thought at that time during the catastrophe. “The first thought that came to my mind was, ‘This is the end of me,’” he said. In their panic, the elephant even stampeded a fellow traveler. Luckily, she made it through the encounter, a fact that Ron Magill, communications director for Zoo Miami, told Miami’s Channel 10 News was due to pure luck. “The woman who was trampled is lucky to be alive,” he remarked.
It is clear that the group’s guides were instrumental in ensuring their safe exit from harm. Unrein and Melvin both said they were thankful for their guides’ swift actions throughout the ordeal. Unrein reflected on his emotions after reaching safety: “I thought for sure I was dead. Then once I was safe, it was just jubilation. I was very happy to be alive.”
The meeting serves as a poignant reminder of how unpredictable wild outcomes can be, especially when juvenile animals are present. Magill stressed the need to show respect for wildlife, including keeping a safe distance. “There’s nothing more dangerous than an elephant mother with young calves,” he warned. “They’re incredibly protective. I hope it’s helpful that people know you have to give distance the same respect. You need to give animals distance.
Both Melvin and Unrein observed that they could feel the elephant’s displeasure before she charged. Melvin mentioned, “We kept telling that they were kind of getting a little annoyed at our presence.” Having your eyes opened to the world of animal behavior would be an important takeaway for any tourists, especially those participating in wildlife experiences.
