DESCRIPTION:
While conducting a Wilderness backpack trail in a designated wilderness area, we had set up our tents and were conducting an afternoon walk from our camping. Approx 1km into our walk we encountered an Elephant Bull, we had just walked through a river bed and were following a game trail along the edge of the bank, I stopped the group when I observed the Elephant and was in the process of assessing the situation and possible exit routes when the Elephant became aware of our presence and moved into a position to see us it is at this point important that the group stands still and does not make any sudden movements. Clients are pre briefed extensively before such walking trails on regulations and potential situations that can arise on trail and procedures to be followed if the group is approached by, as in this case a Elephant. I turned my head and instructed the group to stand still and be quiet on at least two occasions before the Bull started moving forward . The Bull did not move off after the initial contact as usual but advanced towards us on two occasions causing us to shout it down (This is standard procedure to deter the Elephant from advancing further). To have backed off at this point would have potentially caused the Elephant to follow through with its charge.

The reason for the Bull advancing on us became later evident when we were told by the clients that one member of the group had tried to run down the river bank and another had moved position, we were not aware of this during the encounter as we where approx 4 - 5 meters in front of the clients and were concentrating on the Elephant actions, both clients where held still by other members of the group as per our pre trail briefing, this can be seen in the clip where the Elephant reacts to the persons moving across and in front of the camera. At this stage it is important for the guides to concentrate on the potential threat and deter a situation, which we did. The Elephant then backed up and moved off. We continued our walk after the excitement within the clients had returned to normal, I reiterated at this point to the clients on the importance of not moving or generating noise during such an encounter such as had occurred.

The point of conducting walking trails in Wilderness areas is to facilitate a love and appreciation for our natural areas in people, this is something myself and fellow guides strive for, there are however situations that can occur that can be potentially dangerous to both parties (In this case the Elephant and people) but so is show jumping for the horse and rider for example, I am proud to say that in the 20 years of guiding I have strived not to destroy an animal in self defence while conducting walking trails with clients and believe that every guide should aim for this, to the extent that I am intimately involved in Guide development and training. We as guides are aware that certain conditions can be unpredictable and such occasions can occur. It is always interesting that in situations such as these every second person becomes an expert and can describe in immense detail from a one dimensional angle what should and should not have been done. If one however talks to people with a high level of experience in this field they will be the first to tell you that things dont happen according to the book. The important thing is to handle the situation as it changes and to aim to have no harm caused to both parties. For more info on safaris visit www.colinpatrick.co.za