Stray elephant attacks 26 year old Serenje man

A TWENTY-SIX-YEAR old man of Serenje district is nursing serious wounds after a stray elephant perforated his chest breaking his ribs and ripping off part of his lungs as he was trying to take ‘selfies’ with the jumbo.

According to Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwankampwe, the jumbo charged and attacked Desire Chafyakale who was among residents of Kafuna area who were taking selfies while others were throwing stones at it.

Mr Mwankampwe said this to ZANIS in an interview in Mkushi this morning.

“It charged towards Chafyakale who was trying to take selfies while other people were throwing stones at the jumbo which was spotted at Kafuna just behind the district hospital,” he said.

He explained that the victim who is admitted to Kabwe Central Hospital had his ribs broken and part of his lungs injured.

“He was initially admitted at the district hospital but was referred to Kabwe central hospital because of the severity of the injuries,” he said.

Mr Mwanakampwe advised people in Serenje district to report to relevant authorities whenever they spot stray animals.

“They are the ones who have the capacity to handle wildlife,” he said.

And Serenje District Commissioner Paul Masuwa said this was not the first time that the district recorded an incident of stray elephants.

Mr Masuwa advised people not to take pictures with wild animals saying they can charge on them.

“They do not understand the behavior of elephants, they do not know that such animals can charge on them at any time,” he said.

He stressed the need for people to report such matters to the National Parks and Wildlife whenever they see stray wildlife.