Elephant attacks


Definition of Elephant attacks

From the elephant glossary Section: elephant management


Salim photographed by killing keeper Gunter Lenz in Berlin Zoo, 1963.
Salim photographed by killing keeper Gunter Lenz in Berlin Zoo, 1963.
A wild elephant made rampage in Bamboo Bazaar , Mysore, and killing at least one person, a house security guard, identified as Renuka Prasad, a 55-year-old resident of Bamboo Bazar.
A wild elephant made rampage in Bamboo Bazaar , Mysore, and killing at least one person, a house security guard, identified as Renuka Prasad, a 55-year-old resident of Bamboo Bazar.


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Wild elephants kill hundreds of humans every year, and since humans started to tame and train elephants thousands of years ago, there has been cases of aggressiveness, just like with any other animal, like dogs, cats, horses. Dogs are claimed to kill 25 000 people in the world, annually. Nowadays more horses than snakes kill people in Australia; from 2000 to 2013, horses were responsible for 74 deaths, From 1990 through 2017, an estimated 1.8 million individuals presented to United States emergency department with horse-related injuries. The number of concussion and closed head injury diagnoses increased by 337% from 1990 to 2009.

But still, most dogs, horses and elephants, do not attack or kill humans, and the fatal tragical cases of captive elephants killing humans has to be viewed as exceptions, since 99,99% of the approximately 10 000 elephants ever imported to Europe and America, were not Elephant mankillers, and of the presently over 20 000 captive elephants in Asia 99,99% are not mankillers.

One example how a wild elephant who killed 12 villagers was saved from being shot, is the 60 year old Murthy, who was captured, tamed and trained in 1998, worked as Kumkhi elephant many years, and was retired in 2020.

The second elephant in America, the African elephant Old Bet, is claimed to have became aggressive why she was shot by Daniel Davis in 1816, but it can not be confirmed that she attacked a human, and is also stated she was shot while traveling, by some rustic ruffians, out of sheer wantonness.

In Europe, Chunee, a male Asian elephant at Exeter Exchange menagerie, in United Kingdom, had attacked Alfred Copps, who survived, Garniers elephant was shot with canon in Venezia in Italy 1816, when it got aggressive, and his second elephant was killed in 1820 at Bastion d´Hollande in Switzerland, also with a canon, and for the same reason.

Since then, during the last 200 years in Western Hemisphere, most cases of captive elephants killing humans are recorded, and added by more where the person survived the attack. While the statistics in Asia are mostly Unknown, records are becoming more common since Internet, but mostly only when International tourists were involved.

Elephants were often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Zoos, and there is most probably a grey zone, where not all incidents of elephants being aggressive and attacking their keepers, was reported. Most documented cases of elephants attacking humans, are those which was fatal, and the human died. Many Zoos in Western hemisphere have transferred their elephant management to Protected Contact.

This database contain records from 248 accidents and attacks, which resulted in 166 fatalities (resulting in death), from 1815 until today, during more than > 200 years.



List of 248 accidents and attacks by elephants
1 1815
United Kingdom		† zookeeper
Alfred Copps		 attacked by Chunee at Exeter Exchange menagerie. Forced Copps into a corner of the cage, pushed with trunk Alfred Copps survived. Passed out, saved by Edward Cross who distracted the elephant.Remained with the Exeter Exchange until 1822, became last Keeper of the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London
2 1825-11-01
United Kingdom		† zookeeper
Johann Tietjen		 fatal accident by Chunee at Exeter Exchange menagerie. While being cleaned, he turned too sharply and one of his tusks embedded in the unfortunate Tietjen's ribs? † Johann Tietjen died 1825-11-01, Exeter Exchange menagerie.
3 1840
Algiers, Louisiana,
United States		† elephant keeper
George Crumb		 fatal attack by Columbus II at Raymond & Warings Menagerie, Museum and Circus United. Columbus went berserk, attacking Bolivar, killed Bolivar’s keeper, George Crumb, broke up a cage, and lunged at spectators. † George Crumb died 1840
4 1843-12-23
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Henry Andrews		 fatal attack by Rajah at Liverpool Zoological Gardens. † Henry Andrews died 1843-12-23, Liverpool Zoological Gardens.
The handle of a broom, with which the deceased had often struck the animal, was found near the place, broken in two pieces.
5 1845-03-08
United States		† elephant keeper
Thomas Saunders		 fatal attack by Pizarro at Raymond & Warings Menagerie, Museum and Circus United. Was knocked from his horse and killed by the elephant Pizarro while on the road about 5 miles north of Baton Rouge LA, on the way to Bayou Sara. † Thomas Saunders died 1845-03-08
6 1848-06-13
United Kingdom		† veterinarian
Richard Howard		 fatal attack by Rajah at Liverpool Zoological Gardens. grew infuriated after being struck twice with a broom by its keeper (Richard Howard), to make him budge, and he ran at the man, jammed him against the bars of the cage, let him fall, and then crushed him to death underfoot. † Richard Howard died 1848-06-13, Liverpool Zoological Gardens.
7 1849-06-12
United Kingdom		† director
William Wombwell		 fatal attack by Old Jimmy at Wombwells Travelling Menagerie. Jimmy (in musth) pushed Wombwell to corner of the den, boring him with its Tusks. According to Sanger, Wombwell was trying to stop two elephants fighting. † William Wombwell died 1849-06-12, during tour in Coventry.
A young man poked the elephant with a spiked ladder, W. could just walk out, bleeding, brought to Mt. Johnson Hospital. Tusk had penetrated through the thigh, separating the muscles, and exposing the large arteries. There was also extensive laceration. Died after midnight.
8 1859
United States		† elephant trainer
Frank Nash		 attacked by Tippoo Sahib at Van Amburg Circus. struck at Nash while be was practicing the animal in the tent, there being no audience present. Frank Nash survived.
9 1866-06-28
Murten, See District, Canton Fribourg, Switzerland.,
United States		† elephant keeper
Moffet 		fatal attack by unknown ("Murten elephant") at Circus Bell and Meyers . With his powerful Trunk he had twice thrown him into the air, then pressed him to the ground with his Tusks and finally kicked him with his Feet. It had taken the unfortunate man a whole agonizing hour to die. Shortly after noon, the mahout’s assistant led the female animal towards Fribourg. Several times, the elephant cow stopped to watch out in vain for for her longtime companion. † Moffet died 1866-06-28
10 1867-02-03
Germany		† elephant keeper
Unknown Schmidt		 fatal attack by Boy at Berlin Zoo. † Unknown Schmidt died 1867-02-03
11 1871-06
On railway train between Plymouth and London.,
United Kingdom		† agent
William Paton		 fatal attack by Prince at Duke Alfred of Edinburgh. On arrival in Plymouth, Toms caretaker, Colonel William Paton managed to get the elephant onboard the train, but after the train reached full speed, Tom panicked and crushed the wall between him and his keeper. When trying to keep him back, Paton was crushed against a wall. † William Paton died 1871-06
12 1872-06
,
Germany		† visitor
Max Sack		 fatal attack by Boy at Berlin Zoo. Boy pushed the visitor Berlin Judiciary Max Sack into iron bars. † Max Sack died 1872-09-02, Berlin hospital.
Sack suffered a collarbone fracture and died from the injuries in 1872-09-02.
13 1873-12-02
Germany		† elephant head-keeper
Unknown Pechler		 fatal attack by Boy at Berlin Zoo. Attacked by Boy when he wanted to fetch a broom from the stable. Boy pushed him into the stable wall, and killed him. † Unknown Pechler died 1873-12-02, Berlin Zoo, Berlin.
14 1879-03
Germany		† zookeeper
unknown Goss		 fatal attack by Rostom (Rustum) at Berlin Zoo. At Easter 1879, Rostom trampled on Mr Goss, the 72-year-old parrot keeper. † unknown Goss died 1879-04
15 1880-09-28
United States		† animal trainer
John King		 fatal attack by Chief at John Robinson Circus. While the circus was in Charlotte for performances, Chief rammed King into his railcar cage, crushing him. King was described as crushed beyond recognition “to jelly”. † John King died 1880-09-29
16 1881-05-03
Germany		† elephant keeper
Adolf Marschall		 attacked by Omar at Berlin Zoo. Marschall was removing the saddle from Omar, after ride operations, when Omar attacked him, pushed him and tusked him. Adolf Marschall survived. Severe injuries in right side of the breast, and brought to hospital.
17 1883-01-28
,
Germany		† elephant keeper
Heinrich Krüger		 fatal attack by Rostom (Rustum) at Berlin Zoo. Rostom killed the zookeeper Heinrich Krüger, who were cleaning the stable, and walked over Rostom's hay. Rostom pushed him with his right tusk (he didn't have a left tusk) into a stable wall and squeezed him. † Heinrich Krüger died 1883-01-28
18 1885
Nashua, New Hampshire,
United States		† elephant keeper
James Sweeney		 fatal attack by Albert at Barnum and London Circus. Asiatic elephant, Albert, killed his keeper, James Sweeney, at Nashua, New Hampshire † James Sweeney died 1885, Nashua, New Hampshire.
The animal was taken to a ravine and shot.
19 1885
Smith’s Grove, Ky,
United States		† elephant trainer
Bernard Shea		 attacked by Empress (Gypsy) at Harris Nickel Plate Shows. Shea rode Gypsy to a stream so she could cool herself. There, Gypsy’s Trunk grabbed Shea and shoved him underwater. Bernard Shea survived. Wriggling free, Shea subdued Gypsy in a “brutal” manner, which Johnston does not detail. “Shea quit the show after this incident, knowing it was only a matter of time before (Gypsy) would kill him.”
20 1885-10-11
Winter quarters of Forepaugh’s Circus,
United States		† other
Robert White		 fatal attack by Empress (Gypsy) at Forepaugh & Samwells. Raising her Trunk in the air felled White to the ground with one tremendous blow. She struck him another blow as he lay prostrate, and then rearing on her hind legs brought one of her front Feet down on White’s chest with the full force of her ponderous weight. She paused for a moment apparently to see whether her victim would offer any resistance, and when he moaned feebly she thrust down her immense head and with her tusk literally disemboweled him. † Robert White died 1885-10-11, Winter quarters of Forepaugh’s Circus.
Daniel Taylor, an attaché of the circus, picked up a spear, and dashing into the elephant house plunged it into the brute’s leg. She stopped thrusting at the prostrate man with her single but ugly tusk. White was taken to a hospital, where he died very soon afterward.
21 1888-09
Dubois, Pa,
United States		elephant keeper
John Goggy		 fatal attack by Zip at Shelbys Circus (Dan Shelby). † John Goggy died 1888-09, Dubois, Pa.
22 1890-12-11
Riga,
Sweden		† director
Alexander Eisfeldt		 fatal attack by Shemir at Eisfeldts menageri (Circus Leonard). † Alexander Eisfeldt died 1890-12-11, Riga.
23 1896
Chicago,
United States		† animal trainer
Frank Scott		 fatal attack by Empress (Gypsy) at Harris Nickel Plate Shows. Bernard Shea was away and animal handler Frank Scott ignored warnings to leave Gypsy alone. He exercised her. Scott climbed onto Gypsy’s back and sat on her head, the usual custom for riding an elephant. Riding down an alley, “Gypsy caught (Scott) with her Trunk and hurled him to the ground,” according to the Johnston article. “Using her front Feet, she stomped the life out of him. † Frank Scott died 1896, Harris Nickel Plate Shows Circus winter quarters, Chicago.
Shea was contacted at once. He hurried back to the show to be greeted by Gypsy with happy snorting and trumpeting. But Gypsy’s love for trainer Bernard Shea was a temperamental one.
24 1898-06-03
Racine, Wisconsin,
United States		† elephant trainer
Joe Anderson		 fatal attack by Prince at Great Wallace Shows. † Joe Anderson died 1898-06-03, Racine, WI.
25 1899-04-09
Argentine, Kansas,
United States		† elephant keeper
Frank Fisher		 fatal attack by Rajah at Lemon Brothers Show. † Frank Fisher died 1899-04-09, Argentine, Kansas.
26 1899-12-20
Columbus, Ohio, winterquarters ("Sellsville"),
United States		† superintendent
Patrick Meager		 fatal attack by Sid at Forepaugh-Sells Show. One account describes how Sid "hurled the trainer to the ground with his Trunk. The elephant then fell on his victim, pierced Meaghers body with one of his Tusks, on which was a brass ball six inches in diameter † Patrick Meager died 1899-12-20, Columbus, Ohio, winterquarters ("Sellsville").
27 1900
Ben Wallace winter quarters at Peru, Indiana,
United States		† elephant trainer
Harry Hoffman		 fatal attack by Big Charlie at Great Wallace Shows. 1. Crushed his handler of 8 years Harry Hoffman, OR 2. Drowning Harry Hoffman as he was being watered out of the Mississinewa River at the Wallace Quarters † Harry Hoffman died 1900, Ben Wallace winter quarters at Peru Indiana.
28 1902-05-27
Brooklyn,
United States		† visitor
James Fielding Blount		 fatal attack by Topsy (4-Paw Topsy, Crooked-tail Topsy) at Forepaugh-Sells Show. threw Blount to the ground with her Trunk and then crushed him with either her head, knees, or foot, or some combination thereof. † James Fielding Blount died 1902-05-27, Brooklyn.
29 1902-06
Tours, France,
United States		† elephant trainer
George Bates		 attacked by Fritz at Barnum and Baileys circus European tour. Fritz went for Bates, his keeper, in Tours. George Bates survived. Fritz was hung on Baileys orders on 11th June 1902.
30 1902-11-22
Central Avenue, Valdosta,
Germany		† elephant trainer
James "Whiskey Red" O'Rourke		 fatal attack by Empress (Gypsy) at Circus Kendler. Gypsy abruptly stopped and O’Rourke fell to the cobble-stoned street. “For a long while, O’Rourke lay on the street under the huge elephant’s Trunk. He failed to get up. (Gypsy) hesitated to lift him back to her head,” according to The Times. “Then, slowly, deliberately, the mammoth beast kneeled down over O’Rourke and crushed his body. She then rolled the limp body along with her Trunk and Tusks for some 50 yards. † James "Whiskey Red" O'Rourke died 1902-11-22, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Police Chief Dampier went home to fetch his Krag-Jorgensen rifle, which he had carried in the Spanish-American War, according to most accounts, and shot her dead at Cherry Creek.
31 1904-01-24
Hoe Street, Walthamstow,
United Kingdom		† elephant trainer
George Lockhart Sr.		 fatal attack by Salt at George Lockhart Sr.. while unloading elephants at the railroad station on Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London. the elephants started to run through the railroad yards and Lockhart after them. Salt crushed him to death against the side of a car. † George Lockhart Sr. died 1904-01-24
32 1904-12
Columbus Quarters,
United States		† elephant keeper
W.J. Meacher		 fatal attack by Sid at Forepaugh-Sells Show. † W.J. Meacher died 1904-12
33 1905-12-28
Hagenbachs winter quarters in Carthage, Ohio,
United States		† elephant trainer
Theodore Mink		 fatal attack by Giant at Hagenbach Amusement Company. The elephant pinned him in a corner and beat him with its Trunk and Tusks. † Theodore Mink died 1905-12-28?, winter quarters in Carthage, Ohio.
It is feared he can not recover.
34 1907-04
Hungary		† elephant keeper
István Szokola		 attacked by Sziam at Budapest Zoo. Siam grabbed his caregiver, István Szokola, with his nose, cut him to the ground, and even trampled him. István Szokola survived. Szokola had to be taken to hospital.
35 1908-09
Hungary		† elephant keeper
István Szokola		 fatal attack by Sziam at Budapest Zoo. Siam attacked Szokola again † István Szokola died 1908-09, Budapest Hospital.
István Szokola suffered such severe injuries that he died at Bethesda Hospital the same day.
36 1909-04-09
United States		† assistant elephant keeper
Charles Bartlow		 fatal attack by Tom-Tom at Yankee Robinson Circus. Seized Bellow, who had been with the circus for five years, hurled him high into the air and then trampled him to death. † Charles Bartlow died 1909-04-09, winter quarters of Yankee Robinson Circus, Ingersoll Park, Des Moines, IA.
The excited beast then ran through the animal park, uprooted small trees, destroyed three circus wagons and demolished a bridge across a lagoon. Forty bullets were shot into the elephant before it was subdued.
37 1910-04-28
,
United States		† elephant trainer
James Hildebrandt		 fatal attack by Monte at Kit Carson Show. Hildebrandt, aged forty-five, of Lancaster, Mo., elephant trainer with the Kit Carson Buffalo Ranch Wild West Show, was killed while endeavoring to put "Monte," the show's smallest elephant, into a car on that day. † James Hildebrandt died 1910-04-28
38 1910-10-20 .
United States		† elephant keeper
Robert Shields		 fatal attack by Robbins Queen at Bartell Wild Animal Farm (William Bartel). † Robert Shields died 1910-10-20
39 1912-06-13
Milhon, Ontario, Canada,
United States		† elephant keeper
Frank Johnson		 fatal attack by Tip at Haag Circus. Frank Johnson, of the Haag Show, was killed by an elephant. † Frank Johnson died 1912-06-13, Milhon, Ontario.
40 1914-06-16
United States		† elephant keeper
Michael Raddatz		 fatal attack by Babe (York, Chief) at Toledo Zoo. While being prepared for riding with howdah, Babe hurled Raddatz to the ground by a blow from the trunk, knelt upon him and tusked him three times. † Michael Raddatz died 1914-06-16, Toledo Zoo.
Raddatz were terribly crushed, and died within half an hour at hospital.
41 1916-05-14
United States		† elephant trainer
Henry Newton		 attacked by Hero at Orton Brothers Circus. Attacked Henry Newton (Heros trainer) being chased under a wagon and barely escaping. Henry Newton survived. An angry mob demanded the elephant killed, and after spending alot of ammunition, Hero was shot dead with a The 30 30 Savage Army rifle.
42 1916-09-12
United States		† elephant keeper
Walter Eldridge		 fatal attack by Sparks Mary at Sparks Circus. Eldridge started to punish her, but she grabbed him with the trunk, right around the waist and throwed him against the side of the drink stand and crushed him. When he hit the ground the elephant set his foot on his head and blood and brains and stuff squirted all over the street † Walter Eldridge died 1916-09-12, Kingsport.
Eldridge was hired as elephant groom at 11th of September in St. Paul, Virginia, and was killed after one day on duty.
43 1921-04-28
Germany		† elephant trainer
Wilhelm Philadelphia		 fatal attack by Böse Rosa at Circus Sarrasani. crushed the trainer Wilhelm Philadelphia to death on the wall of her box † Wilhelm Philadelphia died 1921-04-28
44 1923-01-19
Switzerland		† elephant keeper
Jean Haetelfinger		 fatal attack by Miss Jenny at Basel Zoo. † Jean Haetelfinger died 1923
45 1923-07
Australia		† animal trainer
John Cooke		 fatal attack by Cardie at Wirth Circus. In Brisbane, during a performance under the big top, he lashed out at his trainer, Mr Cooke, knocking down her trainer and crushing him with her head. † John Cooke died 1923-07, Wirth Circus tour in Brisbane.
The incident left the circus management shaken. George Wirth, the circus owner, lay awake that night, agonizing over what to do. By morning, a grim decision had been made: Cardie would have to be destroyed, and he was subsequently shot three days later, in July 1923.
46 1924-10-02
Belle Center, Logan County,
United States		† elephant keeper
Stephen Hancock		 fatal attack by Albert at Ketrow Brothers Circus. Stephen Hancock, 71, elephant keeper with Ketrow Brothers' circus, was killed by one of his charges while the main tent was being erected for a performance at Belle Center, Logan County. The animal attacked Hancock, knocked him down and crushed his chest. † Stephen Hancock died 1924-10-02
47 1926-01-15
Texas,
United States		† elephant keeper
Ben Reed		 fatal attack by Black Diamond at Monroe Brothers Circus. † Ben Reed died 1926-01-15, Texas.
After Black Diamond killed the elephant trainer Been Reed in Texas 1929, he always a system of chains, in order to restrict his movement and possibilities to hit or grab people with his trunk.
48 1929
Germany		† elephant trainer
Gustav Hundrieser		 attacked by Boy at Circus Carl Hagenbeck-Stellingen. On Circus Hagenbeck Gustav Hundrieser survived. Boy was transferred to Munich Zoo.
49 1929
Czech Republic		† elephant keeper
Johann 		fatal attack by Buby (Bubi) at Circus Kludsky. Johann was drunk and made a bet that he would bring Bubi to the pub. He was found dead in the morning in the straw in Bubi's stable, and Bubi had blood on his Tusks. † Johann died 1929
50 1929-10-12
United States		† visitor
Eva Donohue		 fatal attack by Black Diamond at Al G. Barnes Circus. smashed Mrs. Donohue to the ground, trampled the life out of her. † Eva Donohue died 1929-10-12, Corsicana, Texas.
Eva Donohue was taken to a nearby hospital, but only lived for a few minutes. Attendants said her skull was crushed.
51 1932-06-26
,
Germany		† elephant keeper
unknown Burchhardt		 attacked by Omar at Hannover Zoo. Omar pressed the temporary keeper Burchhardt at the wall from the elephant house end of May 1932 unknown Burchhardt survived. Burchhardt only suffered bruises
52 1932-07
Germany		† elephant keeper
Konrad Hesse		 attacked by Omar at Hannover Zoo. Omar threw Konrad Hesse at the floor and pierced him with the tusk. Konrad Hesse survived. Hesse survived, because his lungs was not injured
53 1933-03
United States		† elephant keeper
George Conradt		 fatal attack by Miss Daisy at Honolulu Zoo. Miss Daisy, she was a fixture until March 1933 when she went of a rampage. She killed her keeper George Conradt and got loose. † George Conradt died 1933-03, Honolulu Zoo.
She was gunned down by soldiers from an Army base.
54 1933-05-01
Germany		† director
Heinz Heck		 attacked by Boy at Munich Zoo. Heinz Heck survived.
55 1935-06
United States		† elephant keeper
Jessie Wardlow		 fatal attack by Vance at Al G. Barnes Circus. Two months previously while working in harness with the Barnes Show, he had suddenly attacked and killed the "hook-up" man Jessie Wardlow. † Jessie Wardlow died 1935-06
56 1936
United States		† elephant trainer
Joe Reed		 fatal attack by Prince at Baldwin Park. Prince gored Reed to death in the exercise ring. † Joe Reed died 1936
57 1936-01-18
,
United States		† elephant trainer
Walter Powell		 attacked by Major at Cole Brothers-Clyde Beatty Circus . Walter Powell, aged 22, St. Louis, an elephant trainer with the Cole Brothers Circus, was badly injured at 7 o'clock Saturday morning when he was attacked and then trampled by Major the largest elephant in the circus herd of thirty pachyderms. The attack occurred while Powell was cleaning up the elephant quarters. He was rescued by other workers who beat off the elephant. Walter Powell survived. Mr. Powell works a number of elephants in a circus act. Major was the lead elephant. Powell is a veteran circus man. He was born while his parents were employed by a circus. Powell traveled with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus for a number of years and has been with the Cole Brothers Circus since its organization.
58 1936-02-06
United States		† elephant trainer
J. E. Smith		 attacked by Major at Cole Brothers-Clyde Beatty Circus . Major became resentful toward Smith, though in the past he has always shown a marked liking for the veteran trainer. He was being led around the training rings for exercise by other handlers, when Smith came up. Suddenly the heavy trunk was raised, the bull trumpeted. Smith stepped forward in an effort to soothe him, but the trunk descended quickly, accurately, and the trainer was thrown headlong to the ground. J. E. Smith survived. Smith was given first aid, but it became obvious that he could no longer handle the bug bull. On Friday, other handlers found Major in a bad frame of mind. The verdict was that the big fellow, one of the most valuable of his kind in the country, must go. The huge bull was dropped by a single shot, a 30-30 steel bullet being used.
59 1936-06-16
United States		† elephant keeper
Edward Brown		 fatal attack by Charlie Ed at San Francisco Zoo. Charley Ed Killed Edward Brown June 16, 1936 † Edward Brown died 1936-06-16
60 1936-10-08
Beaumont,
United States		† elephant keeper
Lee Roberti		 fatal attack by Ringling Trilby at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. elephant startled when Roberti approached her to put a collar over her head, grabbed him with her trunk, threw him against the wall of the elephant car, and when he fell to the floor, placed her foot on his head. † Lee Roberti died 1936-10-08, Beaumont.
61 1937
Parkes in NSW, Australia,
Australia		† elephant trainer
Jack Stevens		 fatal attack by Tommy at Perry Brothers Circus. Killed the elephant trainer Jack Stevens, and then ran around in the town Parkes in NSW, until Tommy Perry and assistants managed to get him into a wagon. † Jack Stevens died 1937
62 1937-03
Germany		† elephant keeper
Mandal Sukla		 fatal attack by Omar at Hannover Zoo. † Mandal Sukla died 1937-03, Hannover Zoo.
63 1938-07-02
United States		† elephant keeper
George Page		 fatal attack by Mabel at Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. † George Page died 1938-07-02
64 1938-07-17
Germany		† elephant head-keeper
Hans Werner		 fatal attack by Wastl at Munich Zoo. A very early birth, only 50 kgs heavy, and the mother had no milk by the birth. During the first two weeks handreared by elephant keeper Hans Werner, later succesfully introduced to the mother. Killed the elephant keeper Hans Werner 1938-07-17 by six year of age. † Hans Werner died 1938-07-17, Munich Zoo.
65 1941
Germany		elephant keeper
unknown elephantkeeper 		fatal attack by Lacksemie at Wuppertal Zoo. crushed the keeper against the wall † unknown elephantkeeper died
66 1941
Germany		elephant keeper
Karl Preuss		 attacked by Wastl at Berlin Zoo. Attacked elephant head-keeper Preuss. Karl Preuss survived. Preuss suffered severe injuries. Wastl died in 1943-11-22 during bombings of Berlin.
67 1941-04-26
United States		elephant trainer
George "Slim" Lewis		 attacked by Ziggy at Brookfield Zoo. Lewis was able to get Ziggy unchained, and for a while to participate in zoo activities. Then, on April 26, 1941, hormones high from being "in Musth, " Ziggy trunk-slapped Lewis, knocking him fifty Feet, while zoo visitors looked on in horror. Before Lewis could get up, Ziggy had him by the leg, plunging his Tusks down repeatedly, while Lewis, happy to be slim, rolled into the space in between them to avoid getting gored. George "Slim" Lewis survived. When his Tusks briefly caught deep in the dirt, Lewis managed to escape. Ziggy picked up Lewis's hat and threw it after him.
68 1943-10-29
United States		† elephant trainer
Ted White		 fatal attack by Joe at Cole Brothers-Clyde Beatty Circus . Ted White who was Arky Scotts assistant on elephants and was unfortunately killed in the car during the '43 season by one of the Ranch elephants "Joe" while while attempting to unchain "Joe" during unloading in Prescott, Arizona. † Ted White died 1943-10-29
69 1944-07-12?
Chehalis,
United States		† elephant keeper
Gabe Tucker		 fatal attack by Lucy at Russell Brothers Circus. The show left Portland after the Sunday date (July 9, 1944) and moved to Vancouver, Washington, for two days. Longview was next and then Chehalis. It was here, after the night show had broken, that Lucy killed Gabe Tucker. † Gabe Tucker died 1944-07-12?, Chehalis.
Concello immediately called C. R. Montgomery who had a mink farm outside Albany, Oregon, and urged him to shelter the elephant.
70 1944-09-19
,
Australia		† elephant keeper
Wilfred Lawson		 fatal attack by Queenie at Melbourne Zoo. Queenie killed her keeper Lawson in front of zoo visitors, while making her way back to her enclosure after giving rides. † Wilfred Lawson died 1944-09-19, Melbourne Zoo.
Wilfred Lawson, 68, who had been her keeper since she arrived, had come out of retirement to look after Queenie because there was a shortage of qualified younger men to take on this difficult task. He died the same day from injuries caused when he fell and Queenie put her foot on him. Queenie was shot by one of the keepers on the 22nd of June 1945.
71 1944-11
Switzerland		† visitor
Bertha Walt		 fatal attack by Chang II at Zurich Zoo. Then on a stormy November morning three years ago, zoo keepers saw blood on the floor of the pit. In Chang's straw bed they found a bloodied human hand and toe. The horrified keepers and police learned the unbelievable truth. Chang had devoured a young woman; he had swallowed her clothes, her hat, and even her large handbag. † Bertha Walt died 1944-11
72 1946-02-22
Australia		† animal trainer
Eileen Wirth		 attacked by Jip at Wirth Circus. grabbed her left arm in it's mouth and was about to fling her to the ground and trample her when old Princess Alice, another female elephant, broke her chains, attacked Gyp and pulled Miss Wirth to safety. Eileen Wirth survived. Miss Wirth's forearm was fractured in two places, which was under treatment
73 1947-12-24
Switzerland		† elephant keeper
Hans Rietmann		 fatal attack by Chang II at Zurich Zoo. Hans Rietmann had no fear. On Christmas Eve, he entered the pit by himself. When he tried to fasten the chains around the elephant's hind legs, Chang turned and swept him up in his Trunk. † Hans Rietmann died 1947-12-24, Zürich Zoo.
Later that night, the trumpeting din of elephants Fighting aroused the sleeping zoo. The zoo director rushed to Chang's pit, found him attacking Mandjullah. On the floor he found Rietmann's dead body. This time there was no one to plead for Chang. At dawn the keepers' rifles cracked four times. Chang, the elephant with imagination, was dead.
74 1950-03-26
United States		† visitor
Edwin Schooley		 fatal attack by Dolly at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. While in Sarasota the winter of 1949-50 while people were visiting the elephant area, a small child wandered under the guard rail and startled "Dolly" who was dozing, she then kicked out fatally injuring the child. † Edwin Schooley died 1950-03-26, RBBB winter quarters, Sarasota.
As the result of public outcry, she was shot 3/29/50 and for Unknown reasons "Minnie" was sold to the Mills Show in the fall.
75 1953-07-28
Germany		† elephant keeper
Eduard Soukop		 attacked by August at Munich Zoo. Eduard Soukop survived. 1953-07-31: August was shot by director Heinz Heck.
76 1954-01-25
United States		† director
Bob McGrath		 fatal attack by Kay at Mesker Park Zoo. Roger "Bob" McGraw was the Mesker Zoo Director at the time and had worked there for nearly 25 years. He was mopping Kay, the elephant's, cage when he got crushed by her † Bob McGrath died 1954-01-31, Deaconess Hospital, Evansville.
He died 6 days later at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. And he asked that they not destroy her.
77 1954-08-17
New Zealand		† elephant keeper
Frank Lane		 fatal attack by Jamuna at Auckland Zoo. Lane had just fed a young elephant, Kassala, when Jamuna swung her truck knocking him into the wall and killing him instantly. † Frank Lane died 1954-08-17, Auckland Zoo.
His ribs fractured, the pericardium around the heart split, his lungs and arteries were bruised, and his head squashed and shattered against the wall.
78 1955-12
Australia		† elephant keeper
Charles Cody		 attacked by Jip at Sydney Zoo. Knocked down Cody with her trunk and trampled him Charles Cody survived. Hospitalized with a broken ankle and severe bruises
79 1956-06-13
Japan		† visitor
Chuhi Igosawa		 fatal attack by Hanako at Inokashira Park Zoo. Officials surmised that the man climbed into the compound after the zoo closed, "to have some fun". The animal apparently trampled her tormentor, then stripped of his clothes with her trunk. † Chuhi Igosawa died 1956-06-13, Inokashira Park Zoo, Mitaka city, Tokyo.
The nude and battered body of the teaser, 45 year old Chuhi Igosawa, was found today in a ditch inside the young elephants compound.
80 1957
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
William Aslett		 fatal attack by Salt at Circus Rosaire. † William Aslett died 1957
81 1960-04
Japan		† elephant keeper
Masaki Saito		 fatal accident by Hanako at Inokashira Park Zoo. Hanako's keeper, 53 year old Masaki Saito, was caught in her chains and she accidentally trampled him to death. † Masaki Saito died 1960-04, Inokashira Park Zoo, Mitaka city, Tokyo.
82 1962-02-05
Kalangadoo, South Australia,
Australia		† visitor
Bill Walker		 fatal attack by Betty at Sole Brothers Circus. He went to see the elephant early one morning and it's thought it became excited at seeing him again. It picked Bill up in its Trunk and must have knocked his cheek hard (giving him a "welcoming hug"). A piece of fragmented bone pierced his brain. † Bill Walker died 1962-02-05, Kalangadoo.
The elephant laid him gently on the ground and that was how Jean Perry found him. There wasn't a mark on him apart from a slight bruise on his cheek.
83 1963-08-05
Germany		† elephant keeper
Günther Lenz		 fatal attack by Salim (Salem) at Berlin Zoo. grabbed Lenz with his trunk, three times he smashed the man against the wall, then rolled him on the floor, while tusking him. † Günther Lenz died 1963-08-05, Berlin Zoo, Berlin.
Keeper Robert Jung poked Salim with an iron rod, while a visitor jumped over the mot, and dragged Lenz away, but Lenz was already dead.
84 1964
Russia,
Germany		† director
Carl Sembach		 attacked by Assam at Circus Krone. Carl Sembach survived. sold in Moskow after he had attacked the circus director Mr. Sembach.
85 1965
Hamburg,
Germany		† elephant keeper
N.N. Bauvig		 attacked by Taku at Circus Krone. the danish elephant keeper Bauvig severly, on tour in Hamburg. N.N. Bauvig survived.
86 1966-05
Germany		† elephant keeper
Hermann Nelz		 attacked by Cora at Munich Zoo. During Sunday afternoon, Cora attacked keeper Nels, by trumpeting with erected ears charged the keeper with full speed, in order to fatally kill him. Hermann Nelz survived. Nelz was saved by elephant Mini who attacked Cora during her charge, and pushed her into the concrete wall. Cora died the next day of spinal injuries.
87 1967-07-25
Germany		† elephant keeper
Ulrich Barkowski		 attacked by Stasi at Munich Zoo. Ulrich Barkowski survived. Severe injuries. Stasi was killed the next year 1968-12-09.
88 1968-10-04
Germany		† visitor
Ursula Junge		 fatal attack by Mini at Munich Zoo. A visiting girl 3,5 years, was giving bread to the elephants trunk at the moat of the enclosure. After the old girl had given the last piece of bread, elephant Mini puller her over to the enclosure rolled her on the ground and kicked her with her front foot. † Ursula Junge died 1968-10-04
89 1971
Germany		elephant keeper
Dieter Köhler		 attacked by Mapalay at Ruhr Zoo, Gelsenkirchen. Dieter Köhler survived.
90 1971
Germany		elephant keeper
Bernd Millat		 attacked by Mapalay at Ruhr Zoo, Gelsenkirchen. Bernd Millat survived.
91 1971
Germany		elephant keeper
Gustav Röckener		 attacked by Mapalay at Ruhr Zoo, Gelsenkirchen. Gustav Röckener survived.
92 1971
Germany		elephant keeper
Ralf Ulbrich		 attacked by Mapalay at Ruhr Zoo, Gelsenkirchen. Ralf Ulbrich survived.
93 1972-06-16
France		† director
Dany Renz		 fatal attack by Chiquita at Circus Rancy. † Dany Renz died 1972-06-17, Issoire.
Died 17 June on hospital.
94 1973-06-03
United States		† elephant keeper
Alvin Kelly		 fatal attack by Bee (Burma) at Cole Bros. Circus (Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus). Alvin Kieran Kelly was lifted into the air by a female Asiatic elephant during a performance. The elephant then put him down and stepped on his chest, crushing him to death. † Alvin Kelly died 1973-06-03
95 1974-04-28
Preston, Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia		† other
Douglas Laing-Smith		 fatal attack by Abu at Ashtons Circus. while he was trying loading elephants on a truck, without regular trainer present. † Douglas Laing-Smith died 1974-04-28, Preston, Melbourne, Victoria.
Douglas Laing-Smith who was a driver/attendant with the circus.
96 1975
Brazil		† director
Agenor Gomez		 fatal attack by Bruma at Agenor Zoo. She arrived at the collection from Thailand in 1950, and was sent to São Paulo Zoo in 1975, when she killed Zoo Agenor owner Agenor Gomez. † Agenor Gomez died 1975
97 1977
Sweden		elephant keeper
Gerd Thorin		 attacked by Tabu at Boras Zoo. when Thorin was cleaning outside enclosure. Pushed him down on the ground, and tried unsuccessfully to gore him with the tusks and squeeze him, but since the ground was frozen, the tusk could not enter deep enough into the earth. Gerd Thorin survived. Thorin saved himself by hitting the elephants eye with a fork, which made the elephant stop, until other keepers came to help and chased away the elephant. Thorin was hospitalized with broken ribs.
98 1977-03-15
Czech Republic		† elephant keeper
Jiri Cernohorsky		 fatal attack by Petr II at Prague Zoo. attacked and killed the elephantkeeper Mr. Jiri Cernohorsky † Jiri Cernohorsky died 1977-03-15, Prague Zoo.
99 1978-03-11
Chicago,
United States		† elephant keeper
David Farr		 fatal attack by Joyce at Hawthorn Corporation. Several dozen bystanders looked on in horror as the enraged elephant hurled David Farr, 35 years old, off her knee and kicked him into a pillar. † David Farr died 1978-03-11
100 1978-05-05
Gatini Circus in Quebec,
Canada		† animal trainer
Eloise Berchtold		 fatal attack by Teak (Rajah) at Circus Gatini. after she apparently slipped and fell during the Gatini Circus performance † Eloise Berchtold died 1978-05-05, Gatini Circus in Quebec.
Teak, had been trained by Berry and Berchtold on the farm in Cowlitz County. Teak was immediately killed by the veterinarian at the circus. Morgan Berry spread her ashes on the farm.
101 1980
Canada		director
John Lehnhardt		 attacked by Spike (Ganesha) at Calgary Zoo. Lehnhardt’s job was to separate a 3,000-pound male elephant from two females at night. “This young male decided he wasn’t going, so he tried to kill me. He knocked me down and tried to squish me into the floor with his head,” he said.” John Lehnhardt survived. Lehnhardt grabbed the bull’s ear and quickly moved to the elephant’s side. “If he’d had Tusks, he would have gored me to death,” he said.
102 1980
On his first working day as pupil, Tanja pushed Becker with her head into a concrete wall.,
Germany		elephant keeper
Rolf Becker		 attacked by Tanja at Berlin Zoo. Saved by collegues who came and removed the elephant. Rolf Becker survived.
103 1980?
Italy		elephant trainer
Banda Vidane		 attacked by Jumani (Diamond) at American Circus. At Circus Americano (Flavio Togni) Jumani broke the shoulder of elephant trainer Banda Vidane. Banda Vidane survived.
104 1982
Finland		artist
Tuulikki Eloranta		 attacked by Shiva at Circus Sariola. pressed to a wall, when she was trying to feed elephant apples, without her trainer present. Tuulikki Eloranta survived. Broken ribs, and hospitalization during several months.
105 1982
Yugoslavia		† elephant trainer
Chiara Medini-Gärtner		 fatal attack by Douglas at Josef Gärtner. † Chiara Medini-Gärtner died 1982
106 1982
Tour in Span,
United States		† director
Felix Kendler		 fatal attack by Bosco at Largo Wild Life Preserve. † Felix Kendler died 1982
107 1982-09-13
Wisconsin Rapids,
United States		visitor
Mary Herman		 fatal attack by Anna May at Woodcocks’s elephant act. swatted the woman with her trunk, killing her † Mary Herman died 1982-09-13, near a Wisconsin Rapids restaurant.
Mary Herman, 30, a friend of elephant trainer Ben Williams, was found dead of a "crushing-type injury," on Sept. 13 in a bushy area near a Wisconsin Rapids restaurant.
108 1983
Melbourne,
Australia		† artist
Debbie Wirth		 fatal attack by Abu at Ashtons Circus. while she was rewarding the elephant after pulling a truck from a bog as the circus set up in Melbourne. † Debbie Wirth died 1983
109 1983-01
Germany		elephant keeper
Karl Müller		 attacked by Bibi at Wuppertal Zoo. Karl Müller survived. Severe injuries from being attacked by Bibi
110 1983-06-05
Canada		† elephant keeper
Toby Styles		 attacked by Tantor at Toronto Zoo. tucked his Trunk under and put his Ears out and charged like a great big truck. Toby Styles survived. Styles escaped the attack.In most cases what you do is charge them back – it’s just like a big bluff. But he started to come at me and I knew this was the time to get the hell out of there. I didn’t know I could still move that fast.Toby Styles
111 1983-07
United States		elephant keeper
David Wilson		 attacked by Misty at Lion Country Safari, Inc - Laguna Hills. David Wilson survived.
112 1983-07-24
United States		† elephant keeper
Lee Keaton		 fatal attack by Misty at Lion Country Safari, Inc - Laguna Hills. broke free from her chains at Lion Country Safari in Irvine, California and turned on game warden Lee Keaton, crushing his Skull and killing him instantly. † Lee Keaton died 1983-07-24
113 1984
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Mark Aitken		 fatal attack by Bindu at Port Lympne Zoo. crushed to death † Mark Aitken died 1984, Port Lympne Zoo.
114 1984-06
Sweden		† elephant head-keeper
Bill Hemberg		 attacked by Shiva at Stockholm Zoo (Skansen). when Hemberg were cleaning the outdoor pool. Prssed him several times against a concrete wall. Bill Hemberg survived. had teeh cracked, sever head wounds, and treated for concussion at Danderyd hospital, Stockholm.
115 1984-06-19
Bad Gastein in Salzburg,
Switzerland		† elephant keeper
Mohammed Hanzi		 fatal attack by Madura at Circus Knie. during morning training in Bad Gastein in Salzburg, Austria. † Mohammed Hanzi died 1984-06-19, Bad Gastein in Salzburg.
The captive born elephant Madura was shot two days afterwards.
116 1985
Germany		† elephant trainer
Wolfgang Ramin		 attacked by Bibi at Hannover Zoo. Wolfgang Ramin survived.
117 1985
Stockholm and Gothenburg,
Sweden		† elephant trainer
Josef Gärtner		 attacked by Bimbo at Circus Scott. attacked Josef Gärtner several times during the spring and summer 1985. Josef Gärtner survived. By Christmas the control was lost over the bull, and he could net be kept from attacking the other elephants.
118 1985
United States		† visitor
Joan Scovel		 fatal attack by Frieda (Freida, Taffy) at Cole Bros. Circus (Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus). by grabbing the woman with her Trunk and throwing her down to the ground in a parking lot of the New London Mall. † Joan Scovel died 1985
119 1987-09
Gunnedah, NSW,
Australia		† zookeeper
George Littlejohn		 fatal attack by Abu at Ashtons Circus. † George Littlejohn died 1987-09, Gunnedah, NSW.
120 1988-06
Germany		† elephant keeper
Rolf Amelung		 attacked by Siporex at Hannover Zoo. badly during training performance. Rolf Amelung survived. Disabled pensioner.
121 1988-10-03
United States		veterinarian
Gail Hedberg		 attacked by Tinkerbelle at San Francisco Zoo. knocked her down and did a "headstand" on her, Hedberg was nearly crushed to death Gail Hedberg survived. Hospitalized with a broken pelvis. Hedberg, a nine-year veteran of the zoo, remained hospitalized in stable condition Sunday at San Francisco General Hospital. She had been treating an abscess on Tinkerbelle's head Saturday when she apparently hit a sensitive spot.
122 1989
Sweden		zookeeper
Bo Larsson		 attacked by Shiva at Stockholm Zoo (Skansen). during footcare. Pushed Larsson into a concrete wall. Bo Larsson survived. treated for concussion at Karolinska hospital, Stockholm.
123 1989-02-01
,
United States		elephant keeper
David SaoMarcos		 attacked by Cindy at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. SaoMarcos was kicked, beaten and knocked into a Moat by Cindy, an 8,000-pound Asian elephant once branded as dangerous. David SaoMarcos survived. SaoMarcos suffered a broken collarbone and numerous scrapes and bruises.
124 1989-02-05
United States		† elephant keeper
Joe Allen		 fatal attack by Casey at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Busch Gardens Africa). † Joe Allen died 1989-02-05, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Busch Gardens Africa).
125 1990-06-21
United States		† elephant keeper
David Dickerson		 fatal accident by Carol at George Carden Circus International. Startled by a passing car, a 6,400-pound elephant, Carol, stumbled while being led to a circus appearance and fell on her handler, who was crushed to death as the animal struggled to get back on her Feet. † David Dickerson died 1990-06-21
126 1991
Sweden		† elephant keeper
Robert Nilsson		 fatal accident by Putschie at Kolmarden Zoo. Donkey attacked Putsche, who pushed Nilsson into a wall † Robert Nilsson died 1991, Kolmarden Zoo.
Head and body crushed
127 1991
United States		† elephant keeper
Pamela Orsi		 fatal accident by Alice at San Diego Zoo. Alice fighting with Cha Cha, another elephant † Pamela Orsi died 1991, San Diego Zoo.
128 1991-01-12
United States		† curator
Lorne Jackson		 fatal attack by Smokey at Oakland Zoo (Knowland Park). trampled and struck Jackson with its leg or Trunk. † Lorne Jackson died 1991-01-12, Oakland Zoo.
Jackson, who suffered head and chest injuries, was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The trampling death of zookeeper Lorne Jackson by Smokey in 1991 led the Oakland Zoo to transfer their elephants to Protected Contact.
129 1991-08-04
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Roy Lock		 fatal attack by Iris at Twycross Zoo. with a head butt while he was tending to its injured foot. Roy Lock poked his head through the bars of the elephant cage when he was butted by the five-ton elephant. † Roy Lock died 1991-08-04, Twycross Zoo.
His neck was broken against the cage bars.
130 1992
Sweden		elephant keeper
Mikael Eriksson		 attacked by Tanja at Boras Zoo. inside the stable, trying to push him down and squeeze him on the stable floor. Mikael Eriksson survived. Saved due to thathe was attacked in a corner, why the elephant couldnt squeeze him. Managed to get free and escape.
131 1992
Sweden		elephant keeper
Tony Svensson		 attacked by Tanja at Boras Zoo. Svensson during walk in forest outside the enclosure, by pushing him and stamping on his foot. Tony Svensson survived.
132 1992-12-16
United States		† elephant keeper
Jubal Cox		 fatal attack by Ginny at San Antonio Zoo. Ginny slapped the keeper Jubal Cox, 29, with her trunk, which she then used to scoop him up and throw him to the ground. † Jubal Cox died 1992-12-16
133 1993
Germany		elephant keeper
Klaus Ellerhorst		 attacked by Rhena at Krefeld Zoo. Klaus Ellerhorst survived.
134 1993
United States		† elephant trainer
Roy Wells		 attacked by Billie at Hawthorn Corporation. Roy Wells survived. Wells was attacked twice by Asian elephant Billie who were transferred to "retired/hands off" after the second attempt in 1993. Protected Contact?
135 1993-05-05
United States		† elephant trainer
Axel Gautier		 fatal attack by Reba at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus - Retirement Farm. The elephant approached Gautier from behind, pushed him down with her trunk and stepped on him, the sheriff's report said. † Axel Gautier died 1993-05-05, Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
Gautier was treated at a Williston hospital for internal injuries to his chest, pelvis and abdomen and then flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where he died.
136 1993-07-10
United States		† elephant keeper
Charlotte Torre		 fatal attack by Tilly at Lowry Park Zoo. First she knocked Torre to the ground with her trunk. Then she kicked the fallen woman with the full force of her 9,500 pounds. † Charlotte Torre died 1993-07-10, Lowry Park Zoo.
137 1993-10-07
Canada		elephant keeper
Nick Rensink		 attacked by Iringa at Toronto Zoo. That morning, Rensinck, more than 18 months experience with the Zoo's elephants, attempted to end a disagreement between Thika and Iringa. When he tried to force Iringa back, she threw him across the holding area with her Trunk and gored him repeatedly in the leg while he was pinned on his back. Nick Rensink survived. Rensinck might have been killed if not Keeper Mark Bongelli, was able to step into the pen, back the elephant away from Nick and have Nick crawl partially out of the accident area. Mark then pulled Nick through the adjacent pen, past two other elephants to a central area, and called for assistance.
138 1994
Nyborg,
Denmark		elephant trainer
Kim Benneweis		 attacked by Siam at Circus Benneweis. the elephant trainer Kim Benneweis, and almost killed him in the ring, during tour in Nyborg, Denmark. Outside the tent she attacked a visiting elderly man Einar Johannes Kristensen, who was later sent to Odense hospital. Kim Benneweis survived.
139 1994
Nyborg,
Denmark		visitor
Einar Johannes Kristensen		 attacked by Siam at Circus Benneweis. Outside the tent she attacked a visiting elderly man Einar Johannes Kristensen Einar Johannes Kristensen survived. Einar Johannes Kristensen, was later sent to Odense hospital.
140 1994-04-02
Germany		elephant keeper
Kai Dobenecker		 attacked by Zambi at Augsburg Zoo. Kai Dobenecker survived. badly injured
141 1994-08-20
Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii,,
United States		† elephant trainer
Allen Campbell		 fatal attack by Tyke (Mike) at Allen Campbell. crushed to death after attempting to save fellow co-worker Dallas Beckwith from the performing elephant Tyke, who had run amok † Allen Campbell died 1994-08-20, Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Campbell's autopsy revealed that he had cocaine in his system.
142 1995
Germany		elephant keeper
Karl Kock		 accident by Mala at Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen). fighting with Mogly Karl Kock survived. injuries when falling off from elephant, during the fight. Claimed to be rescued by bull Hussein, when he was lying between the fighting elephants
143 1995-02-03
Germany		† elephant keeper
Uwe Rothe		 fatal attack by Danka at Saarbrücken Zoo . squeezed Rothe with her head against a wooden wall † Uwe Rothe died 1995-02-03
144 1995-04-02
Belgium		† elephant keeper
Dougie Robertson		 fatal attack by Benjamin at Monde Sauvage Safari, Aywaille. † Dougie Robertson died 1995-04-02
145 1996
India		† mahout
Annaiah 		fatal attack by Arjuna at Balle Elephant Camp. † Annaiah died 1996
146 1996
Carpentras, France,
Yugoslavia		† elephant trainer
Josef Gärtner		 fatal attack by Sabu (Sabi) at Josef Gärtner. Killed Josef Gärtner during tour 1996 in Carpentras, France † Josef Gärtner died 1996, Carpentras.
147 1996-01-03
Germany		elephant keeper
Clemens Reckmann		 attacked by Lakshmi at Berlin Zoo. Clemens Reckmann survived. severe injures. Lakshmi was dead shortly afterwards.
148 1996-06-01
Iquique,
Chile		† visitor
Rodiguo Silva		 fatal attack by Frida at Circus Aguilas (Circo Aguilas). slapped a boy and knocked him to the ground during a circus appearance in the northern Chilean town of Iquique. † Rodiguo Silva died 1996-06-01
149 1996-06-14
Sri Lanka		† mahout
Piyadasa		 fatal attack by Raja at Sri Lanka National Zoological Gardens (Dehiwela Zoo). Reports of the incident said that Raja and the other zoo elephants were being lined up to go to the arena when the incident happened. As usual the mahouts were giving certain commands to exercise the animals before the performance. When Raja disobeyed an "up" command by Piyadasa , the Mahout persisted. Raja lunged towards the man and struck him with his "Milk teeth" (two eight inch Teeth under his trunk). The blow sent Piyadasa reeling against a wall and Raja lunged again, his Trunk raised. † Piyadasa died 1996-06-14
150 1998
Zimbabwe		elephant keeper
Sibangilizwe Ncube		 attacked by Bertha at Sondelani Game Lodge. after being chained up at the fence, grabbed Sibangilizwes foot, and pulled him towards her, trying to tusk him. Sibangilizwe Ncube survived. Saved by Dan Koehl and Luckson Mwayemudza, who poked her with hooks, and made her release Sibangilizwe, who did not suffer critical injuries.
151 1998-07-23
Dharmapala Mawatha/Green Path roundabout in Colombo,
Sri Lanka		† mahout
Dingiri Mahattaya		 attacked by Nawam at Gangaramaya Temple. On Thursday July 23 Navam Raja, an elephant from the Gangaramaya Temple ran amok at the Dharmapala Mawatha/Green Path roundabout in Colombo chasing a keeper, and holding up traffic at the busy junction for half an hour. Dingiri Mahattaya survived. A priest from the Gangaramaya succeeded in calming him down with offerings of sweets.
152 1998-07-31
Sri Lanka		† mahout
Dingiri Mahattaya		 fatal attack by Nawam at Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple of the Tooth. He leaned his hook against the wall and removed the chain from the back leg of the elephant. As there was a small branch entangled with the chain, Dingiri Mahattaya bent to remove it. The elephant suddenly knocked him over with his tusk, gored him and flung him up to the electric wire. † Dingiri Mahattaya died 1998-07-31, Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple of the Tooth, Kandy.
All of us, other mahouts who were nearby, pelted the elephant with stones and he stepped back. Dingiri Mahattaya fell behind a large log that lay in the corner. As the elephant came looking for him again, we pelted more stones. We managed to extricate the bleeding Dingiri Mahattaya from the corner.
153 1998-11-17
India		† visitor
Mary Brumder		 fatal accident by Gadapani at Kaziranga Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC). Gadapani’s moment of infamy came on the chilly morning of November 17, 1998, when he attacked rival Bhajan, who was carrying a group of foreign tourists on its back. Mary Brumder, an 80-year-old tourist from the US, fell off the seat strapped to Bhajan’s back and died on impact. † Mary Brumder died 1998-11-17
154 1999
Germany		elephant keeper
Lorenz Schwellenbach		 attacked by Tusker at Wuppertal Zoo. Lorenz Schwellenbach survived. severly injured
155 2000
Namibia		elephant consultant
Dan Koehl		 attacked by Kasper at Ovita Game Farm. When running towards Ovita Lodge because of rain, Koehl was charged by semi-trained Kasper and Balthasar. With a film camera in his hands. Dan Koehl survived. Koehl turned around and charged back. The two elephants turned and fled, leaving Koehl unharmed. The present elephant keepers Marcus Linder and Jörg Burger thought Koehl was injured, until meeting him on the lodge.
156 2000-01-26
United States		† artist
Teresa Ramos-Caballero		 fatal attack by Kenya at Lance Ramos (Lancelot Kollman). On Jan. 26, Kenya broke loose from her chains to a tree on the Ramos family compound when Teresa Ramos-Caballero, 52, came up around the tree and startled her. The elephant knocked down Ramos-Caballero with her Trunk and stomped on her. When Ramos-Caballero got up, the 4,500-pound animal knocked her down a second time and crushed her, according to sheriff's investigators. † Teresa Ramos-Caballero died 2000-01-26
157 2000-02
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Darren Cockrill		 fatal attack by La Petite at Port Lympne Zoo. † Darren Cockrill died 2000-02-00, Port Lympne Zoo.
The 27-year-old was found dead in the elephant enclosure at noon yesterday. He had suffered multiple injuries, said the spokesman. He was declared dead on arrival at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
158 2000-05-05
Botswana		† zoologist
Andre Klocke		 fatal attack by Nyaka Nyaka at Abu Camp. Well-known South African elephant researcher Andre Klocke, who had monitored the behavior of Kruger National Park elephants before joining luxury elephant-back safari operation at Abu Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, was killed by an African bull elephant at the end of a day-excursion. † Andre Klocke died 2000-05-05, Okavango Delta, Maun.
According to Moore, the elephant, named Nyaka-nyaka, turned on Klocke during a routine unsaddling procedure in the bush, not far from the camp. Klocke had approached the elephant from behind, which startled it. Klocke’s wounds sent him into shock, and he died soon after. Nyaka Nyaka was euthanized Friday on Moores orders.
159 2001
Switzerland		elephant head-keeper
Thomas Ruby		 attacked by Maya at Basel Zoo. Maya attacked Ruby who suffered bad injuries Thomas Ruby survived. The Basel Zoo elephants were transferred to Protected Contact.
160 2001-02-08
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Richard Hughes		 fatal attack by Kumara at Chester Zoo. butted and thrown against a fence † Richard Hughes died 2001-02-19?
161 2001-02-23 .
Russia		† elephant trainer
Alexander Terekhov		 fatal attack by Candy at Circus Durov . crushed to death in the elephant's pen after the evening performance. † Alexander Terekhov died 2001-02-23
162 2001-04-15
South Africa		† elephant keeper
Fiso Mbambo		 fatal attack by Thandi at Brian Boswells Circus. "just pushed him over, knelt on him and walked over him and down to the river." † Fiso Mbambo died 2001-04-15, Broederstroom outside Johannesburg.
Died at the scene in Broederstroom outside Johannesburg.
163 2001-06
Nepal		† visitor
Kali Bista		 fatal attack by Moti Prasad at Kujauli hattisar. † Kali Bista died 2001-06
164 2001-10-20
United Kingdom		† elephant keeper
Jim Robson		 fatal attack by Geeta at London Zoo. Robson is believed to have tripped and fallen in the elephant paddock. One of the three elephants he looked after then stepped on him. † Jim Robson died 2001-10-20, London Zoo.
Mr Robson was flown to the Royal Free Hospital by helicopter but died soon afterwards from multiple injuries.
165 2002
Austria		elephant consultant
Dan Koehl		 attacked by Bimbi at Walding Zoo. Pushed Koehl into a concrete wall Dan Koehl survived. passed out, treated 2 days for concussion at Linz hospital.
166 2002
Zimbabwe		elephant keeper
Wilfred Willom Cadio		 attacked by Dubani (Dubane) at Sondelani Game Lodge. during taming process, ropes were kept on semi-wild elephants, for next training session. One night rope from two elephants got tangled. Wilfred went in to separate the elephants, when he was charged against the iron fence wall. Wilfred Willom Cadio survived. Brought to hospital by Dan Koehl, one ear was slit, and some internal injuries. Released after some days and continued work. Safety aspects were increased to avoid further accidents.
167 2002
Russia		director
Taisiya Dementiev-Kornilova		 attacked by Flora at Circus Kornilov. Taisiya Dementiev-Kornilova survived.
168 2002
Russia		director
Andrei Dementiev-Kornilov		 attacked by Flora at Circus Kornilov. Andrei Dementiev-Kornilov survived.
169 2002-01-28
Cambodia		† elephant keeper
Ta Horn		 fatal attack by Srey Pov at Wildaid Cambodia (Military camp). the man was knocked down and trampled on by the elephant until he died after he tried to offer the animal sugarcane. † Ta Horn died 2002-01-28
170 2002-04-02
Germany		elephant keeper
Marcel Köck		 attacked by Umtali at Osnabruck Zoo. Marcel Köck survived. severely injured
171 2002-11-18
United States		† elephant keeper
Michael Gatti		 fatal attack by Moja at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Two zoo keepers were taking the elephant and her calf on a routine walk through the Zoo grounds this morning, when the mother suddenly stopped. Gatti told the elephant to keep moving. But she knocked him to the ground with her head and then pinned him. † Michael Gatti died 2002-11-18, Pittsburgh Zoo.
He had worked as an elephant handler for the Pittsburgh Zoo for the past five years, prior to that he had worked at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, and the Bronx Zoo in New York.
172 2002-12-15
United States		elephant keeper
Michael Embury		 attacked by Flora at Miami Metro Zoo. Michael Embury survived.
173 2003-02-10
Germany		elephant keeper
Thomas Rolle		 attacked by Arusha at Magdeburg Zoo. Thomas Rolle survived. severely injured
174 2003-02-19
Netherlands		† elephant keeper
Perry Haans		 fatal attack by Erna at Beekse Bergen Safaripark. † Perry Haans died 2003-02-19
175 2004-02-20
Austria		† elephant keeper
Gerd Kohl		 fatal attack by Abu at Vienna Zoo. Kohl had just returned from a longer vacation, when Abu, an almost 4-year-old bull, pinned Kohl to the wall and speared him with his tusks, † Gerd Kohl died 2005-02-20, Vienna Zoo.
Vianna Zoo transferred their elephants to Protected Contact
176 2005-04-13
United States		curator
David Mannes		 attacked by Tova at Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation. David R. Mannes, 52, of Clermont, was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center at 9 p.m. Wednesday after being kicked by an elephant at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Elephant Conservation Center near Old Grade Road in Polk City. David Mannes survived. "He is getting treatment for his injuries. He has a fractured pelvis and a soft tissue wound to his arm," said Melinda Rosser, a spokeswoman for Ringling Bros. "He is in good spirits. We have been told he will make a full recovery."
177 2006-01-31
Paraguay		† visitor
Guillermo Gonzalez		 fatal attack by Maia at Asuncion Zoo. a teenage visitor that went into her enclosure in order to feed her a Mango. Mala trapped Guillermo with the trunk, taking him by the legs and then crushing him with one of its front feet † Guillermo Gonzalez died 2006-01-31
178 2006-07-21
United States		† elephant keeper
Joanna Burke		 fatal attack by Winkie II (Winky) at Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary (TES). After Scott Blais examination, Joanna moved around to Winkie’s right side to look at her eye, not intending to touch it. Without warning, Winkie spun around and struck Joanna across the chest and face. Joanna fell and Winkie stepped on her, killing her instantly. † Joanna Burke died 2006-07-21
179 2006-07-21
United States		elephant keeper
Scott Blais		 attacked by Winkie II (Winky) at Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary (TES). Winkie spun around and struck Joanna Burke across the chest and face. Joanna fell and Winkie stepped on her, killing her instantly. Scott tried to intervene and was also pushed down by Winkie. Scott Blais survived. Scott was taken to Maury Regional Hospital and later released with a fractured fibia and minor injuries.
180 2006-09-30
,
Germany		elephant head-keeper
Ingolf Kastirke		 attacked by Mafuta at Tierpark Berlin. during morning routines, after she was unchained. Ingolf Kastirke survived. Kastirke had at least three broken ribs and internal injuries, and was treated on hospital during October 2006. Mafuta was later relocated to Halle Zoo, transferred to Protected Contact.
181 2007-02-27
Malaysia		elephant keeper
Mohd Hashim Ishak		 attacked by Setia at Taiping Zoo and Night Safari Malaysia. lunged at him from behind. Tusked in the chest and pinned down by his foot Mohd Hashim Ishak survived. Mohd Hashim Ishak was subsequently warded at the Taiping hospital here for suspected fractures and internal injuries.
182 2007-03-10
Germany		animal trainer
Erwin Frankello Jr.		 attacked by Moritz at Platschow Elefantenhof. during feeding grabbed Frank and pushed him into a wall, then tusked him in the stomach with one tusk. Erwin Frankello Jr. survived. severe inner injuries, long and intensive operation at hospital, where he had to stay during several months. Moritz was transferred to Protected Contact.
183 2007-10-10
Russia		† elephant keeper
Olga Grishina		 fatal attack by Flora at Moscow Zoo. during preparations for transport † Olga Grishina died 2007-10-10
184 2007-12-27
Australia		† elephant keeper
Ray Williams		 fatal attack by Arna at Stardust Circus. crushed by the elephant † Ray Williams died 2007-12-27, Yamba, NSW North Coast..
previous heart complaint did not contribute to his death. Instead, it found Mr Williams' injuries - a broken back and a ruptured aorta - were the result of a "severe blunt trauma". "The cause of death was a direct result of the elephant," the report states.
185 2008-04-08
Botswana		† elephant keeper
Chandan Alahakoon		 fatal attack by Shaka at Serendib Elephant Project. Two Sri Lankans were killed by elephants at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve on Tuesday † Chandan Alahakoon died 2008-04-08
186 2008-04-08
Botswana		† elephant keeper
Piyal Pedige		 fatal attack by Shaka at Serendib Elephant Project. Two Sri Lankans were killed by elephants at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve on Tuesday † Piyal Pedige died 2008-04-08
187 2008-05-18
Canada		elephant keeper
Brent Van Hooft		 attacked by Swarna at Calgary Zoo. Around 1:30 p.m., a crowd of people in the Elephant Crossing facility looked on in disbelief as one of the animals; a 33-year old elephant named Swarna, became agitated, and knocked the zoo keeper down. On the ground and with the potentially agitated Swarna standing over him, Van Hooft had the presence of mind to pull himself into a corner where the elephant couldn't reach. Brent Van Hooft survived. "Apparently he had his back turned and she pushed him or bumped him, and he fell into the wall and struck his head," said Grahame Newton, the zoo's director of corporate services. Senior elephant keeper Brent Van Hooft, 48, was taken to hospital. The force of being pushed into the concrete wall left Van Hooft with minor chest injuries, cuts and bruises to his face and possibly a broken nose.
188 2008-09
South Africa		† elephant keeper
Vanhuvmnwe Chinangama		 fatal attack by Gambo at Elephants of Eden (EOE). Killed by the bull Gambo in September 2008. † Vanhuvmnwe Chinangama died 2008-09, Woody Cape, in Alexandra.
Chinangama arrived the Sondelani Game Lodge in November 2005 from Pamuzinda Safari Lodge, as elephant keeper for the one-tusked bull Bonniface, and later worked in Elephants of Eden (EOE), located at Woody Cape, in Alexandra, South Africa.
189 2008-11
India		† mahout
Bora 		fatal attack by Kethan at Murkal elephant camp (Nagarhole). † Bora died 2008-11, Murkal elephant camp, Nagarhole.
The rogue elephant 'Kyata' which crushed his mahout Bora to death recently, has been sent to kraal – a place where wild and restless elephants are tamed – in Moorkal, within Nagarhole forest range. The nine year old Kyata after killing his mahout, had stood guard of the body for nearly 12 hours without food and water. It was only after many attempts that Bora's body was lifted and cremated
190 2009-09-25
Sauraha, near Chitwan National Park,
Nepal		† visitor
Wang Heung		 fatal attack by Laxmi Kali at Holiday Safari. A Chinese tourist died after being attacked by an elephant at Sauraha, near Chitwan National Park on Friday. Wang Heung was attacked by Laxmikali, belonging to Holiday Safari, after he returned from an elephant safari. The elephant suddenly attacked him while he tried to feed fruits to it. The elephant pulled him down and crushed with a leg. † Wang Heung died 2009-09-25, on the way to Bharatpur Medical College hospital.
Wang died on the way to Bharatpur Medical College hospital, according to the police. Wang was accompanied by his wife.
191 2010
United States		elephant keeper
Don Redfox		 attacked by Louie at Toledo Zoo. Don Redfox survived.
192 2010-03-27
Germany		elephant keeper
Petra Schmidt		 attacked by Thabo-Umasai at Dresden Zoo. Pushed Schmidt into concrete wall in outside pool. Petra Schmidt survived. Skull fracture, surgery at Dresden hospital. Disabled pensioner. Dresden Zoo transferred their elephants to Protected Contact
193 2010-03-28
India		† visitor
unknown trespasser 		fatal attack by Lakshmi at Mumbai Byculla Jijamata Udyan zoo. A zoo visitor who had sneaked into an enclosure was killed by an elephant today, the first such incident in the 149-year history of the city zoo. Apparently alarmed by the presence of a stranger, Lakshmi, 70, kicked the man, who was in his forties, has not been identified and is suspected to have been on drugs. Another female elephant, Anarkali, 50, was in the enclosure with Lakshmi, but there were no mahouts or workers, all having gone for lunch † unknown trespasser died 2010-03-28, Mumbai Byculla Jijamata Udyan Zoo.
His body was discovered by the zoo staff after they returned from lunch. He died before undergoing treatment, said assistant inspector B Ghawte of Byculla police station. The man was declared dead at JJ Hospital.
194 2010-04-09
United States		† elephant keeper
Andrew Anderton		 fatal attack by Jambo at Irem Shrine Circus. † Andrew Anderton died 2010-04-09
195 2010-08-08
Serbia		visitor
Miroslav Petrovic		 attacked by Twiggy at Belgrade Zoo. attacked and seriously injured Thursday by an elephant as he rescued his grandchild who had sneaked into the animals enclosure at the Belgrade Zoo Miroslav Petrovic survived. Taken to hospital
196 2010-10-20
Botswana		† elephant keeper
Nathan Jamieson		 fatal attack by Sukiri at Abu Camp. On his return to Abu, Nathan Jamieson began working again with his elephant, Sukiri. Only a few days after he arrived back he left her untethered, and when he walked a little distance to fetch her chains and manacles, turning his back on her, she followed him in the nodding and plodding way of an elephant on a mission, and knocked him flat, crushing him to death with her huge head. † Nathan Jamieson died 2010-10-20, Okavango Delta, Maun.
On hearing of Nathan’s fate, the Botswana government ordered that Sukiri be destroyed. Michael Lorentz vigorously opposed this, and thus began an imbroglio that ended with Michael quitting Abu for good, Abu resuming under new management, and Sukiri, along with the two elephants that had been orphaned with her, being trucked to Johannesburg and flown in elephantine crates to the United States, where they are now housed together in an exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
197 2011-01-18
United States		† elephant keeper
Stephanie James		 fatal accident by Edie at Knoxville Zoo. James had called the elephant into the stall to give her a treat. Edie backed James into a stall on Friday, pushing her into metal bars and crushed handler Stephanie James. When Edie followed the commands to move away from James, it was too late. The 33-year-old James lay crumpled against a stall. † Stephanie James died 2011-01-18
198 2011-02-22
Thailand		† visitor
unknown Swiss woman 		fatal attack by Bookburg at Siam Safari Khao Sok. The pachyderm Bookburg attacked another elephant Buki during a tourist ride, and Bookburg later stomped to death a Swiss woman in her 60s who had the misfortune of being put on its back. She was mother of three surviving children in Switzerland. † unknown Swiss woman died 2011-02-22
199 2011-02-22
Thailand		visitor
Christine Colomb		 accident by Buki at Siam Safari Khao Sok. Colomb fell off the elephant Buki after the elephant attacked by the elephant Bookburg. Mrs Colomb’s wounds were sustained when large tree branches hit her torso as the elephant fled in fear and were not deliberately inflicted by the animal. Christine Colomb survived. Mrs Colomb suffered a broken rib and other injuries. Transported to Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, where she was in intensive care (ICU) after the incident. Connected to several tubes to assist her breathing and help treat a punctured lung, the 45-year-old had to stay longer time in hospita
200 2011-02-22
Thailand		visitor
Michel Colomb		 accident by Buki at Siam Safari Khao Sok. Michel Colomb, 71, suffered minor injuries when he and his wife Christine Colomb fell of the elephant Buki, after the elephant Bookburg attacked the elephant Buki he was riding. Michel Colomb survived. Transported to Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, where he was released from the hospital after treatment for injuries including lacerations to the head, while his wife Christine Colomb had to remain longer time at the hospital, where she was in intensive care (ICU) after the incident.
201 2011-02-22
Thailand		visitor
Helen Gothe		 accident by Buki at Siam Safari Khao Sok. Mrs Gothe suffered 12 fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and other injuries, when she fell of Buki, after the elephant Bookburg attacked the elephant she was riding. Helen Gothe survived. Transported to Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, from where she was released after two days. Mrs Gothe and her husband Sean Gothe, who sustained only minor injuries, returned to their native Australia on March 1.
202 2011-02-22
Thailand		visitor
Sean Gothe		 accident by Buki at Siam Safari Khao Sok. Mr Gothe suffered minor injuries, when he fell of Buki, after the elephant Bookburg attacked the elephant Buki, he was riding. Sean Gothe survived. Transported to Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, from where he was released the same day. Mr Gothe and his wife Helene Gothe, who sustained 12 fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and other injuries, returned to their native Australia on March 1.
203 2011-10-20
During morning routines,
Germany		elephant keeper
Anton Weber		 attacked by Sabi at Augsburg Zoo. Anton Weber survived. Augsburg Zoo transferred their elephants to Protected Contact
204 2012-03-31
Ireland		elephant keeper
Justino Munez		 attacked by Baby at Courtney Brothers Circus. crushed him as he was cleaning the elephant pen at Courtney Brothers Circus in Blackpool, Cork. Justino Munez survived. Justino Munez, the circus worker was critical but he has since made a recovery.
205 2012-04-24
New Zealand		† veterinarian
Helen Schofield		 fatal attack by Jumbo at Franklin Zoo and Wildlife sanctuary. wrapped its trunk around her, before going down, crushed her to death † Helen Schofield died 2012-04-24
206 2012-10-19
Australia		elephant keeper
Lucy Melo		 attacked by Pathi Harn at Sydney Zoo. pinned her against a bollard at the same time as making her way out of the stall, after Ms Melo was engaging Pathi Harn in a training session in the barn, realizing a behavioural change in Pathi Harn. Lucy Melo survived. An ambulance spokeswoman said "She had critical injuries, multiple injuries. The patient was unconscious and had stopped breathing," Melo was brought to Royal North Shore Hospital, she made and was released from hospital after 12 days. Sydney Zoo transferred elephants to Protected Contact
207 2012-11-09
India		† mahout
Dilip Rabha		 fatal attack by Nandan at Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary camp. was pulled down from the animals back and trampled to death while it was being taken for a bath. † Dilip Rabha died 2012-11-09
208 2013-10-11
United States		† elephant keeper
John Bradford		 fatal attack by Patience at Dickerson Park Zoo. Patience hesitated in the chute, and Bradford, was coaxing her forward by reaching for her with a Guide. The animal suddenly lunged forward, knocking Bradford down, into the chute. The animal then crushed Bradford against the floor, killing him instantly. † John Bradford died 2013-10-11, Dickerson Park Zoo.
209 2013-11-02
Myanmar		† mahout
Thein Sein		 fatal attack by Yaza Gaha Thiri Pyitsaya Gaza Raza Yadana White Elephant at Yadana White Elephants Garden. An albino elephant killed his mahout who happened to bear the same name as the current president. The pachyderm was reportedly moving his massive head up and down when he caught the mahout in the left chest and gored him. † Thein Sein died 2013-11-02
210 2014-02-19
China		† elephant keeper
Hu Tianmin		 fatal attack by Zhongbo at Kunming Zoo. † Hu Tianmin died 2014-02-19
211 2014-03-12
Nepal		† mahout
Moti Lal Chaudhary		 fatal attack by Champa Kali at Nature Safari Camp. killed her own mahout, Moti Lal Chaudhary, when he was giving a bath to the animal. † Moti Lal Chaudhary died 2014-03-12, Nature Safari Camp, Sauraha.
Champa Kali had her own history of violence. She had killed people in India before she was sold to Bishnu Hari Sapkota, the owner of Nature Safari Camp in Sauraha.
212 2015-06-13
Germany		visitor
Alexander H.		 fatal attack by Benji (Benjamin, Baby) at Circus Francordia (Circus Luna). The elephant Baby, who had escaped from the circus tent, attacked Alexander, pushed him into a metal fence, and tusked him, and he died immediately on the spot. † Alexander H. died 2015-06-13, Sportplatz at Buchen im Odenwald.
213 2016-02-01
Thailand		† visitor
Gareth Crowe		 fatal attack by Golf at Island Safari Tour (Koh Samui). stomped on Crowe and gored him in the chest. The animal also gored the Mahout with a tusk to his ribs. † Gareth Crowe died 2016-02-01, Koh Samui.
214 2016-02-01
Thailand		mahout
Zaw Tun		 attacked by Golf at Island Safari Tour (Koh Samui). gored the Mahout with a tusk to his ribs. Zaw Tun survived. Zaw Win Tun was treated at Koh Samui Hospital and doctors released him on Thursday.
215 2016-03-11
Thailand		† mahout
San Tor Ni		 fatal attack by Sook Sai at Elephant Nature Park (ENP). On March 11, a number of mahouts heard strange noises coming from Mee Sook’s enclosure. After investigating the noise, they discovered the elephant standing over the body of a man, San Tor Ni, age 20 years old. † San Tor Ni died 2016-03-11, Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai.
It is believed that San Tor Ni sustained severe internal bleeding and several broken ribs after he was trampled by the elephant which he was trying to feed. According to the mahouts in the camp, San Tor Ni had been unofficially working at the park for just five days before the incident.
216 2016-05
Thailand		† mahout
Chai 		fatal attack by Somjai at Mae Wang Elephant Camp. An elephant in northern Thailand killed its handler before running off into the jungle with three terrified Chinese tourists still on its back, police said. A Chinese family of three – a father, mother and a young child – were taking a ride on the male elephant when it turned suddenly on its new keeper, goring him to death. † Chai died 2016-05
217 2016-07-29
Morocco		† visitor
unknown Moroccan girl 		fatal attack by Maha at Rabat Zoo. A 7-year-old Moroccan girl has died after a zoo elephant threw a rock at her. † unknown Moroccan girl died 2016-07-29
218 2017
Thailand		† visitor
Sairung Kraja		 fatal attack by Boonchoo at Santawee Boonklao. Gored and killed † Sairung Kraja died 2017, Maerampung beach, Pattaya.
219 2017-04-05
Cambodia		† elephant owner
Choeung Team		 fatal attack by Atork at Putang village elephant camp. Atork used his trunk to beat him and trampled on him † Choeung Team died 2017-04-05
220 2017-04-17
India		† mahout
Annu 		fatal attack by Karthik at Dubare elephant camp (Aanekaadu). † Annu died 2017-04-17
221 2017-04-30
Kalathil Mahadeva Temple at Pallippuram, Kerala,
India		† mahout
Vaikom Santhosh		 fatal attack by Vishnu Sankar at Sasidhar C S. † Vaikom Santhosh died 2017-04-30, Kalathil Mahadeva Temple at Pallippuram, Kerala.
222 2017-05-04
India		† mahout
Mani 		fatal attack by Karthik at Dubare elephant camp (Aanekaadu). † Mani died 2017-05-04
223 2017-07-25
Zimbabwe		† elephant keeper
Enock Kufandada		 fatal attack by Mbanje at Adventure Zone (Safari Par Excellence). † Enock Kufandada died 2017-07-25, Adventure Zone (Safari Par Excellence).
224 2017-07-27
India		† visitor
Abhilash 		fatal attack by Sundar at Bannerghatta Biological Park Zoo. 27-year-old Abhilash was killed by elephant Sundar after he entered the park illegally, after consuming alcohol, and tried to click a selfie with the Sundar. † Abhilash died 2017-07-27
225 2017-08-28
Germany		elephant keeper
Robert Stehr		 attacked by Hoa at Leipzig Zoo. While the crew were taking the elephants outside, Stehr stumbled and fell, and Hoa kicked him with a leg. Robert Stehr survived. Stehr could leave hospital the same day, but left his work as elephant keeper. Leipzig Zoo transferred elephants to Protected Contact
226 2017-11-27
Thailand		† mahout
Somsak Riangngeon		 fatal attack by Riangngeon Ekasit at Chiang Mai Zoo. Just after the owner, Somsak Riengngen, unchained the five-tonne elephant, called Ekasit, with a mahout, or handler, on his back, Ekasit took a few steps before reversing course and attacking 54-year-old Somsak, who was on the ground. The elephant suddenly turned back and used his trunk to grab the victim. Then the elephant used his trunk to crush him. † Somsak Riangngeon died 2017-11-27, Chiang Mai Zoo, Chiang Mai.
227 2017-12-10
India		† mahout
Kothachira Subash		 fatal attack by Sreekrishnan at Guruvayur Devaswom elephant camp. Sreekrishnan , which stormed through the temple premises, turned on its mahout and gored him to death. † Kothachira Subash died 2017-12-10, Guruvajour temple.
228 2018-02-03
Sri Lanka		† monk
Bellanwila Wimalarathana		 fatal attack by Myan Kumara at Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya temple. The Buddhist monk Wimalarathana Thera approached the elephant one day when the mahout was on leave, believing they were "sharing a special bond". The elephant, in the absence of the mahout attacked the man, who suffered multiple injuries, with severe blunt trauma to chest with lung laceration and a significant flail segment and badly fractured right upper limb bone. † Bellanwila Wimalarathana died 2018-02-03
229 2018-05-26
India		† mahout
Gajendran 		fatal attack by Masini at Samayapuram Sri Mariamman Temple. The elephant was brought to the temple at 10.50am by the Mahout and tied with a chain. In next 10 minutes, the elephant turned violent. The elephant pushed him on the ground and trampled him with its legs and crushed its Mahout, Gajendran, inside the temple around 11 am when the devotees were moving towards the sanctum sanctorum for worship. † Gajendran died 2018-05-26, Samayapuram Mariamman temple, Trichy.
230 2018-08-30
Nepal		† mahout
Bahuri Lal Sardar		 fatal attack by Moti Prasad at Kujauli hattisar. † Bahuri Lal Sardar died 2018-08-30
231 2018-11-08
India		† visitor
Sudhir Pradhan		 fatal attack by Jashoda at Satkosia Tiger Reserve elephant camp. Jashoda trampled 39-year-old villager Sudhir Pradhan of Matia Sahi to death at a forest near Purunakote range office in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district on Thursday † Sudhir Pradhan died 2018-11-08, Purunakote range office in Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
232 2018-11-18
India		† mahout
Mahender Singh		 fatal attack by Ramu at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park. † Mahender Singh died 2018-11-18, Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park.
233 2018-12-28
Thailand		† mahout
Kopa Charoenchai-olarn		 fatal attack by Hope (Yod Doi) at Elephant Nature Park (ENP). used his Trunk to grab the Mahout, and threw him against a concrete post. The bull then used his foot to Crush the Mahout many times over. † Kopa Charoenchai-olarn died 2018-12-28, Elephant Nature Park (ENP).
The corpse was found to be completely shattered, with the only remaining intact parts consisting of the chest, both arms, and the head. It was concluded that some parts of the body had been eaten by the elephant who was in an extreme state of insanity.’
234 2019
Thailand		† mahout
Suchet Salangam		 fatal attack by Num Surin at Ban Ta Klang elephant village. † Suchet Salangam died 2019
235 2019-02-15
Thailand		† mahout
Anon Phimmuean		 fatal attack by Mee Chok at BLES (Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary). After speaking with friend’s of Anon, it was concluded that Anon, who was notably drunk, entered Mee Chok’s enclosure in the dark, without a torch, on his own, which is against BLES protocol. † Anon Phimmuean died 2019-02-15
236 2019-12-06
India		† mahout
P. Kaliappan		 fatal attack by Andal at Kurumbapatti Zoological Park. Andal had in a sudden fit of anger, when it was being examined by a veterinary doctor, lifted aloft Mahout Kaliappan standing near it, thrashed him on the floor and trampled him underneath her massive Feet, † P. Kaliappan died 2019-12-06
237 2020-05-24
India		† mahout
S. Kalidasan		 fatal attack by Deivanai at Thiruchendur Subramanya Swamy Temple. Elephant Deivanai killed cavady S. Kalidasan during a routine walk. † S. Kalidasan died 2020-05-24, Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu.
238 2020-08-07
India		† mahout
Harish 		fatal attack by Abhi at Mysore Zoo. A mahout was trampled to death by an elephant in Mysuru zoo on Friday. The victim, Harish (38), a resident of Lalithadripur near the city, was stamped by Abhi (elephant) on Friday afternoon. † Harish died 2020-08-07, Mysore Zoo.
239 2021-04-21
Thailand		† visitor
Rachan Theerapittayatrakul		 fatal attack by Cherry at Jungle House Thanaratch elephant camp. An elephant trampled a man to death on Thursday, while he was apparently trying to feed it by the side of a road in Nakhon Ratchasima. Pol Capt Arthit Poontaisong, deputy inspector of Mu Si police, said the incident occurred at 7.50am in front of the Jungle House Khaoyai resort near Thanarat Road in Pak Chong district. † Rachan Theerapittayatrakul died 2021-04-21, Pak Chong.
Police said the body of Rachan Theerapittayatrakul, 55, a sanitation technical officer for the Nakhon Ratchasima City Municipality, had suffered multiple fractures and was found near a female elephant known locally as Cherry.
240 2021-12-09
Rubber plantation in Tambon Katun,
† mahout
Manit Thanabat		 fatal attack by Jumbo at Rubber plantation in Tambon Katun. † Manit Thanabat died 2021-12-09, Rubber plantation in Tambon Katun.
241 2022-04-10
Czech Republic		elephant keeper
Veronika Heroldová		 attacked by Tamara at Prague Zoo. This morning there was an accident in the Elephant Valley of Prague Zoo - the elephant Tamara injured one of the keepers, who is now hospitalized. Based on a preliminary investigation, there was no misconduct on the part of our employees, on the contrary, they quickly intervened to resolve the situation. Miroslav Bobek Veronika Heroldová survived. She suffered injuries to her hand, chest and pelvis. She was conscious the whole time, with intravenous access secured, given pain medication and transported to the Central Military Hospital.
242 2022-07-04
India		† mahout
Budhram Routia		 fatal attack by Ram Bahadur at Peepertola elephant camp (Panna National Park). † Budhram Routia died 2022-07-04
243 2022-08-17
Thailand		† mahout
Supachai Wongfaed		 fatal attack by Pom Pam at Khao Lak Elephant Home. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers were informed that Pom Pam, a 20-year-old male elephant, had ripped apart his keeper, 32-year-old Supachai Wongfaed, at the plantation. Wongfaed's corpse was reportedly found lying in a pool of blood with Pom Pam standing over it, according to NextShark. Local police told The Thaiger that the elephant had stabbed the man with its tusks several times before ripping his body in half. † Supachai Wongfaed died 2022-08-17
244 2022-12-25
Malaysia		† elephant keeper
Joe Fred Lansou		 fatal attack by Joe at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (Sabah Zoo). Lansou, zoo elephant keeper in Malaysia, born 1973, was killed, gored by bull elephant Joe. † Joe Fred Lansou died 2022-12-25
245 2023-08-27
Thailand		† mahout
Pha Lerttikhamphon		 fatal attack by Pha Tulu at Tak Province unspecified location. refused to obey Pha Phi Du’s orders to take him to the vehicle, and deliver him to his new owner in Surin Province. Pha Phi Du became enraged and beat Pha Tulu with his equipment, but the elephant was stomping on the mahout till he died. † Pha Lerttikhamphon died 2023-08-27
246 2024-10-23
Seegakatte lake in Bannerghatta Biological Park.,
India		† mahout
Gopal 		fatal attack by Sampath at Bannerghatta Biological Park Zoo. Eye witnesses stated that Gopal was bathing his elephant Sampath (10) on the banks of the river and was seated on him. The elephant suddenly panicked, rose up and began to run into the water. Gopal, who was sitting on Sampath’s back when he got up, slipped into the water and was pushed further into the deep. † Gopal died 2024-10
247 2025-01-03
Thailand		† visitor
Blanca García		 fatal attack by Somboon at Koh Yao Elephant Care & House. Pushed García who fell and hit her head, fatally injured while bathing the elephant. † Blanca García died 2025-01-03, Koh Yao hospital.
She later died in Koh Yao Chaipat Hospital.
248 2025-11-22
Japan		† elephant keeper
Tawan Salangam		 fatal attack by Terry at Ichihara Elephant Kingdom. Salangam Tawan, a 30-year-old male, was cleaning animal droppings inside a metal cage that housed an Asian elephant at the time, the police said. Zoo staff found him after hearing an elephant scream. † Tawan Salangam died 2025-11-22, Ichihara Elephant Kingdom.
Emergency services in the city rushed to Ichihara Elephant Kingdom after receiving a call saying the worker had been found unconscious after being crushed by an elephant. Salangam was confirmed dead Friday after suffering head injuries.


Elephant attacks is mentioned on 4 other pagesHuman-Elephant-Conflict,  Contraception,  Protected Contact,  No Contact,  

Elephant attacks is mentioned on 3 person pagesRobert White,  Terry Duggan,  Wolfgang Holzmair,  

Elephant attacks is mentioned on 3 location pagesBelfast Zoo,  Berlin Zoo,  Mary Chipperfield’s Circus,  

Elephant attacks is mentioned on 11 elephant record pagesBaby Nona,  Dhrube (wild),  Diana,  Gita,  Harsha,  Kishore,  Madhu,  Motilal,  Tim (wild),  unknown,  Vikram,  


Reference list Koehl, Dan, (2025). Elephant attacks. Elephant Encyclopedia, available online retrieved 20 September 2021 at https://www.elephant.se/index.php?id=291. (archived at the Wayback machine)

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