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Elephant attacks American tourist
When Jeremy Allen McGill set out in China's "Wild Elephant Valley" nature reserve yesterday, he was probably just hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the magnificant beasts. But McGill got that and a lot more -- for unknown reasons, an elephant used its trunk to pick McGill, who teaches English in China, up and then tossed him.
An official said that three elepants were roaming as close as 65 feet from McGill, and also noted that elephant attacks have happened before -- "mostly after the pachyderms were spooked by camera flashes or loud noises from visitors."
Bear attacks and moose tramplings aren't uncommon here in Alaska, and though they most often occur when someone has surprised the animals or gotten between them and their offspring, they often result from brave people trying to get close enough for a good photo. The same thing happens in Yellowstone with wild animals that have gotten so used to humans they casually munch away until someone gets too close.
Sixty-five feet from an elephant might count as too close for me. You?
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
steve1251 Jan 29th 2008 3:22PM
I make it a point to even stay out of my kitty's way when he's hungry.
bubba Jan 29th 2008 3:57PM
you say brave people i say stupid people
pugsntiel Jan 29th 2008 6:33PM
did anyone consider that maybe there were babies nearby? these animals will go to great lenghts to protect their young. and they should....look what poachers will do
Johnny Applebag Jan 29th 2008 7:11PM
The elephant should have ate him!!
Mazy101 Jan 29th 2008 7:10PM
Hummm...I am a animal lover...and loving people as well.. Can't blame the beautiul animal hell, if someone snuck in my house I think I would be in protection mode...get u now ask question's later! Poor guy...poor Elephant..
PEACEEEE!
M
bulldozer Jan 29th 2008 7:55PM
The guy should have never been allowed out of the jeep in the first place! People who aren't outdoorsman oughta stay in their big cities!
DAVID Jan 29th 2008 8:17PM
Even elephants don't like us in China.
Must have been an ugly American.
Carl Jan 30th 2008 12:44PM
They wont bother me, that's why I have elephant boots!!!!!!
Laurentius Jan 29th 2008 9:16PM
A cantankerous pachyderm is certainly an awesome spectacle. Why are they secreting themselves in China?
And who expects to run into one on a nature hike, in China? Sounds like the inscrutable Chinese have something to explain. I hope the American embassy protests; like the Mexicans do when their nationals are presumed as being harassed . They protect their people from unwarranted attracts real or imagined. The Americans are more like the British (above it all). Unless something is done about their elephant "problem" no one is truly safe. And as every African knows, they make good eat'n. Why an elephant can feed a whole village. So, as a red blooded American, I say; "It's barbeque time in old China." One more thing, I've consulted a REAL African (Kenyan), and he tells me: Beer is usually, served with elephant. Where's my fork? Or are chop sticks more appropriate?
nrthdude1 Jan 29th 2008 11:06PM
Doesn't sound like a very safe place. Who was monitoring the situation and conducting the tour? Where were the tour guides?
Elephant attacks, bear attacks, moose attacks...Good Lord.
tanyal Jan 30th 2008 5:13AM
cyber777 I just read your comment and I laughed so hard I couldn't type. I've gathered myself now. That was absolutely hilarious.
melissa Jan 30th 2008 9:59AM
yet another reason why cameras have the zoom feature...
Don Jan 30th 2008 12:23PM
my thought on this is to analyze whatever you did to make it happen and DON'T do it again.
Rusty Jan 30th 2008 1:35PM
It's nature's way of weeding-out the stupid people !!
Strong Feb 2nd 2008 12:09AM
LOOKS LIKE TIGERS--AS IN SANFRANCISCO, AND ELEPHANTS SHARE THE SAME SENSIBILITY; "DON'T MESS WITH ME."
Strong Feb 2nd 2008 8:42PM
LOOKS LIKE TIGERS--AS IN SANFRANCISCO, AND ELEPHANTS SHARE THE SAME SENSIBILITY; "DON'T MESS WITH ME."