New Mexico Tourist Killed in Elephant Attack at Zambia's Victoria Falls

On Wednesday, tragedy struck in Zambia as a tourist from New Mexico lost her life in a fatal encounter with an elephant. The victim, identified as Juliana G. Letourneau, 64, from Alburquerque, had been visiting the renowned Victoria Falls, a majestic 350-foot waterfall situated on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Unexpected Encounter

As she and the group she was traveling with were en route back to their hotel after the excursion to Victoria Falls, they came across a herd of elephants on the road. Intrigued, they disembarked from their vehicle to observe the magnificent creatures.

Tragic Turn of Events

However, the situation took a devastating turn when one of the elephants charged at them while they were watching. The police commissioner for the southern province of Zambia, Auxensio Daka, confirmed the unfortunate incident, expressing that the group had simply stopped to admire the elephants when the unexpected attack occurred.

This marks the second fatality from an elephant attack in Zambia this year, serving as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with wildlife encounters. Authorities urge tourists to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance when observing wild animals in their natural habitat.