Lecturer, 36, sues over fierce attack by elephant

AN ACADEMIC whose pelvis was crushed by a ‘grumpy’ elephant at a Serengeti campsite is suing a luxury UK safari operator for £200,000.

University lecturer Sara Graves, 36, says she also suffered slipped discs after the rogue bull elephant attacked her at the upmarket Lemala Ndutu safari camp in Tanzania.

Lawyers for the Canadian say that she booked the £4,400, seven-night trip with Surreybased Yellow Zebra Travel after reading material on its website stating: ‘You’re in safe hands!’

The company has been named Europe’s leading safari operator for each of the last seven years by the World Travel Awards.

In papers lodged with London’s High Court, lawyers describe how Miss Graves was walking unescorted at the unfenced camp in 2019 when the elephant ‘knocked her down before trampling/attacking her’. They say camp staff had been aware of its presence. Miss Graves blames Yellow Zebra for the failure of camp staff to keep her safe.

The firm’s defence is not yet available and it did not provide a comment. The claim has not yet gone before a judge in court.