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• Alabama Safari Park

1664 Venable Rd, Hope Hull, AL 36043

Alabama Safari Park, located in the heart of Alabama, is an extraordinary 350-acre sanctuary offering visitors the chance to encounter over 500 exotic animals through a thrilling drive-through safari, interactive experiences, and educational programs. The park is dedicated to the conservation and well-being of these magnificent creatures, participating in over 30 Species Survival Plans.

Things To Do

At Alabama Safari Park, visitors can marvel at an impressive range of animals, including giraffes, lemurs, llamas, Watusi cattle, and zebras. The park is also home to several antelope species, dromedary camels, bison, wildebeest, gazelle, Arabian oryx, ostriches, and kangaroos, providing a diverse and immersive experience for wildlife enthusiasts. Sloth Encounter

https://www.alabamasafaripark.com

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Alabama Safari Park is a remarkable destination located in the heart of the Yellowhammer State, offering visitors an unforgettable experience with an array of exotic animals. This 350-acre sanctuary is a wildlife lover’s dream, providing a habitat for over 500 animals from across the globe. Imagine strolling through the park, getting up close and personal with animals you’ve only ever seen on TV or read about in books. It’s an adventure like no other, and it’s all waiting for you right here in Alabama!

The park’s drive-through safari is one of its most popular attractions, giving visitors a chance to safely observe the animals in their natural habitats. As you drive your vehicle through the winding trails, you’ll be immersed in a world of roaming zebras, elegant giraffes, and playful lemurs. The excitement of catching a glimpse of a white rhino or a majestic bison is unparalleled, as you feel your heart race with anticipation at each new encounter.

Alabama Safari Park is more than just a place to see animals. It’s also dedicated to the conservation and well-being of these magnificent creatures. The park participates in over 30 Species Survival Plans, which help protect endangered species and maintain healthy populations. By visiting the park, you’ll not only be having a thrilling experience, but you’ll also be contributing to the preservation of these amazing animals for future generations to appreciate.

For those who want to get even closer to the action, the park offers various interactive experiences. You can feed gentle giraffes from a platform, offering you an incredible opportunity to admire their long necks and delicate eyelashes up close. Or, you can try your hand at feeding some colorful parakeets in the park’s aviary. The feeling of having these small, vibrant birds perch on your hand and eat from your palm is one you won’t soon forget.

Another must-see attraction at Alabama Safari Park is the reptile house, home to an impressive variety of snakes, lizards, and amphibians. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer questions and provide fascinating facts about these cold-blooded creatures. Keep an eye out for the park’s slithery stars, like the enormous Burmese python or the venomous Gaboon viper.

Children visiting Alabama Safari Park are in for a special treat as they can explore the park’s interactive petting zoo. Here, they can interact with friendly goats, fuzzy alpacas, and potbellied pigs. It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect, while also having a great time.

One of the most unforgettable experiences offered by Alabama Safari Park is the opportunity to enjoy a camel ride. These gentle giants will carry you through the park, giving you a unique vantage point from which to observe your surroundings. Feel the sway of their graceful stride, and make sure to snap a photo to remember this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In addition to its animal attractions, Alabama Safari Park also offers various events and educational programs throughout the year. From summer camps to seasonal celebrations, there’s always something new and exciting happening at the park. Whether you’re a local resident or a first-time visitor, Alabama Safari Park promises an exhilarating and educational experience that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom.

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Explore 350 Acres of Drive-thru Safari

Drive-thru adventure, experience animals up close, we are open daily, unforgettable adventures await at the alabama safari park. learn more, attractions.

Interact with our animals safely from your vehicle while exploring our 350-acre drive-thru safari, on foot walking through our village walk-about, up close when feeding the giraffes on the giraffe tower, or during a special, behind-the-scenes encounter.

Safari Drive-Thru

Village Walk-About

Animal Feeding

Giraffe Tower

Featured animals.

Meet our residents and learn about our featured animals’ diet, where they live in the wild and other facts about them.

Events & News

“One of the coolest and wonderful experiences we’ve had. We made memories we will have for a lifetime.”

- Shannon C.

Buy tickets

Conservation

Our Mission

Alabama Safari Park is devoted to wildlife conservation. We fulfill this mission by educating our visitors, caring for our resident animals and supporting conservation organizations. Learn more

Our Zoofari Parks Conservation Grants program helps fund wildlife and habitat programs in the U.S. and abroad. Learn about the latest recipients and how to apply for a grant. Learn more

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Spring Break Fun!

Have a WILD Spring Break at the Alabama Safari Park!

Alabama Safari Park

The Alabama Safari Park, a 350-acre safari park, opened in 2018 and works to provide animals with as natural a habitat as possible for the more than 450 animals living there. It features a 3-mile road where guests can feed Banteng, Grevy's and Grants Zebras, Watusi, Bison, Eland and many other exotic animals free-roaming and up close, without barriers.

Explore the village walk-thru, where you will find ring-tailed lemurs and kangaroos. Enjoy the budgie adventure aviary and  feed the giraffes. You can also pet all your favorite farm animals, including goats and pigs. Or experience a behind-the-scenes sloth encounter!

Getting There

The Alabama Safari Park is located in Montgomery County at Exit 158 off I-65 in Hope Hull, Alabama. The Alabama Safari Park is an easy drive from Atlanta, Birmingham or Mobile,  Pensacola or Destin and surrounding cities in NW Florida and southern Alabama.

Then I - 65 South to Exit 158. Off exit, take left. Go 1/2 mile to Venable Road. Take left and follow to the entrance.

I - 65 North to Exit 158. Off exit, take right. Go 1/2 mile to Venable Road. Take left and follow to the entrance.

• 1664 Venable Road
• Hope Hull, AL 36043

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Adventure Awaits At This Drive-Thru Safari Park In Alabama

Jennifer Young

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Alabama Safari Park is one of the most exciting attractions in Alabama just waiting to be discovered. This unique space is a dynamic animal adventure that makes for the perfect day trip. The staff participates in breeding programs and educates visitors about the importance of protecting animals and their native habitats. It also offers support to other organizations working to ensure that animals thrive in the wild. For information about this fantastic animal park, take a look below.

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Alabama Safari Park is an interactive experience that you may have already visited. If so, please share your adventure with us in the comments below! Discover more about this cool place on the Alabama Safari Park website.

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• Monte Sano State Park (Huntsville): This pretty land sits on 2,140 acres offering a number of recreational activities on the 20 miles of scenic hiking trails and 14 miles of biking trails. Historians will appreciate that in the late 1800s, visitors came to the "Mountain of Health" for the fresh air, mineral springs, and extraordinary mountaintop views, especially in autumn with the leaves changing hues. The spring brings color too with the wildflowers and native azaleas blooming. Reserve a campsite, including one of the 14 rustic cabins that also have a history with the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park also offers campsites, a primitive campground, and a camp store.
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Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you to review our FAQs before you call Alabama Safari Park. Many of your questions may be answered below.

What forms of payment do you take?

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and cash.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are permitted on the property. This is for your animal’s safety and ours.

Do you have vehicles for rent?

No, we do not have rental vehicles for rent at this time.

Can we walk through the park?

For safety purposes, guests are not permitted to exit their vehicles while in the Drive-Thru section of the park. You are welcome to enjoy our Village Walk-Thru after your drive-thru to stretch your legs and see other animals not found on the drive-thru safari. Admission to both the Safari Drive-Thru and the Village Walk-Thru is included in the price of your ticket.

What types of vehicles are allowed?

All vehicles must have enclosed tops and solid slide doors. While in the drive-thru area, vehicle doors should remain closed at all times. Softshell/fabric Jeep doors are not substantial protection for the drive-thru and will not be permitted into the safari.   RVs up to 42' long can drive through the park without any difficulties. RVs are subject to a vehicle search for pets/animals before entering the park.   The following vehicles are not allowed in the Safari Drive-Thru:

• Motorcycles
• Convertibles 
• Open top jeeps
• Vehicles without doors
• Tow-behind trailers

  Guests arriving on motorcycles may make arrangements to ride in another guest's vehicle.

Can you ride in the back of a pickup truck?

No. Riding in the bed of a pick-up truck is not permitted.

How do we feed the animals if driving a minivan?

Minivan doors and back hatch doors must remain closed while in the Safari Drive-Thru section of the park. You may feed the animals through your front windows or side windows if they open. Remember, you may drive through the park as many times as you like, giving minivan passengers in the back of the vehicle the opportunity to move to the front seats to feed the animals.

Do you have wheelchairs for rent?

We do not have wheelchairs to rent at this time. If there are people in your party who need wheelchairs, you are welcome to bring your own to the park.

How can we get our own wagon?

Privately booked wagons are booked 4 to 6 weeks in advance through our sales department with a minimum of 15 paying people and a $100 non-refundable deposit due at the time of booking on MasterCard or Visa. Please see Group Rates for more information.

How many people can fit on a wagon?

Our wagons hold up to 35 people.

Do you offer group rates?

Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more people. Please see Group Rates for more information.

Do you have a carload rate?

We do not have a carload rate. The admission is per person in the vehicle.

Are you open on Sundays?

Yes! We are open seven days a week. Please see Tickets & Hours for a full calendar of hours of operation.

Are you open when it’s raining? Are the animals out in the rain?

The park is open rain or shine and the animals live outside year-round, rain or shine. For their comfort, they may choose to seek shelter in a heavy downpour or inclement weather. Our Giraffes remain inside their barn during inclement weather.

May we feed the animals?

Yes! Buckets of animal feed for the Safari Drive-Thru are available for purchase at $5.00 each at the time of admission, as well as inside the gift shop. Please see Visitor Information for details. NO OUTSIDE ANIMAL FEED OF ANY KIND IS PERMITTED.

Does the animal feed contain peanuts?

No, the animal feed does not contain peanuts but is manufactured in an agricultural facility that may process peanuts or peanut shells.

Can you park a spare vehicle?

Yes, we have ample parking to park a spare vehicle.

Are balloons allowed at the Alabama Safari Park?

No. Balloons are not allowed at the Alabama Safari Park as they pose a threat to our animals who may accidentally eat the balloons, which could lead to a fatal outcome.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property, including inside vehicles in the parking lot or the Safari Drive-Thru.

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Tickets and Hours

Explore 350 Acres of Drive-thru Safari

Drive-thru adventure, experience animals up close, we are open daily, unforgettable adventures await at the alabama safari park. learn more, attractions.

Interact with our animals safely from your vehicle while exploring our 350-acre drive-thru safari, on foot walking through our village walk-about, up close when feeding the giraffes on the giraffe tower, or during a special, behind-the-scenes encounter.

Safari Drive-Thru

Village Walk-About

Animal Feeding

Giraffe Tower

Featured animals.

Meet our residents and learn about our featured animals’ diet, where they live in the wild and other facts about them.

Events & News

“One of the coolest and wonderful experiences we’ve had. We made memories we will have for a lifetime.”

- Shannon C.

Buy tickets

Conservation

Our Mission

Alabama Safari Park is devoted to wildlife conservation. We fulfill this mission by educating our visitors, caring for our resident animals and supporting conservation organizations. Learn more

Our Zoofari Parks Conservation Grants program helps fund wildlife and habitat programs in the U.S. and abroad. Learn about the latest recipients and how to apply for a grant. Learn more

Follow us on Instagram

Spring Break Fun!

Have a WILD Spring Break at the Alabama Safari Park!

Posted on July 1, 2018 by: Beth 7 Comments

Must-See Montgomery: Alabama Safari Park

Filed Under: Fun Things for Kids , My Home's In Alabama , Southern Three Day Weekend Ideas 7 Comments

Updated: I wrote this post in June 2018 but we visited Alabama Safari Park for the second time on July 6th, 2018 and got to experience it all again with my mom and Caroline. I’ve added pics from our second trip since they were so much fun!

Have you ever been up-close to the spiral horns of gazelle or petted a pack of zebras on their heads? Have you ever had to stop and wait for a flock of baby emus to cross the road?

You don’t have to go to Africa to experience these majestic animals in person. We did all that and more a few weeks back, and we never left the state of Alabama.

About 20 minutes south of Montgomery just off I-65 at the Hope Hull exit #158 sits one of the best adventures that Alabama has to offer.

The Alabama Safari Park recently opened to the public, and if you are anywhere within an easy drive it is totally worth the trip. Garrett and I visited on a whim after we took a trip to Old Alabama Town in Montgomery a few weeks back. And honestly, after our trip through the Safari park, we almost totally forgot about the Old Alabama Town experience when we got home. It was that much fun!

Driving through the entrance gate reminded me of a certain movie that didn’t end well for some of the main characters. And the emus totally reminded me of velociraptors, so brace yourselves for an adventure.

We stopped at the store and bought two buckets of animal feed, then proceeded to get attacked by animals of every variety as soon as we crossed through the front gate. Ok, not literally attacked, but a camel did try to chew my rear-view mirror off at one point. And there was an angry ostrich who I refused to roll down the window for. I’ve seen that episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe gets attacked by the ostrich. No thanks. 🙂

Luckily there was nobody waiting in line to get inside behind us so we were able to take it all in without feeling rushed. It was AWESOME!!

We laughed our heads off at these crazy animal antics. Like, literally SCREAMED with laughter. I have never heard Caroline belly laugh this hard in her entire life!  THIS is what it’s all about, right here:

That is the sweetest giggle on Earth.

There were more “common” animals like llamas and camels and emus, but there were also exotic animals like zebras and gazelles and watusi cattle. There were African animals I have never even heard of until this trip.

Here are the Watusi- check out the horns on this guy!

There are lots of animals that hang out in the shade and don’t come to your car no matter how much coaxing you offer them.  The water buffalo were way more interested in the grass than my bucket of processed pellets.

But the ZEBRAS?!?!! OH MY GOODNESS THEY ARE AMAZING!!

They are so sweet and just beautiful animals. Their stripes are a sight to behold. I have never been this close to a zebra before but it was a crazy awesome experience. Caroline LOVED them.

They even have Scottish Highlander coos! Unfortunately, the coos were hiding somewhere in the shade when we visited the first time so I don’t have pics to share inside my Outlander fan groups.

(But on our second visit we got up close and personal with this snuggly Scottish sweetie!!! I was so excited to see this wee beastie headed toward our car! )

Since words don’t quite do justice to just HOW much we laughed on this trip, I made a little video highlighting all the best animal encounters that we had in the park. I have seriously not laughed this hard in a long time.

Check out our adventure from start to finish here. I apologize in advance for all the screaming and crazy country-accented cackling:

If you are ever headed to the beach down I-65 and need a place to stop and let the kids have some fun, this is THE place to go. You can literally see it off the interstate between Hope Hull/ Pintlala if you know where to look. And if you live anywhere in the state of Alabama, it’s worth the trip.

Here’s my advice to anyone planning to visit.

10 Things to Know Before you Visit Alabama Safari Park

• Go to the potty before you arrive. There are Love’s and Flying J truck stops right at the interstate exit about a mile from the park. I seriously almost peed my pants laughing at one point, and there were not working restrooms at the park yet. Just a Port-a-potty trailer. So yeah. Pee first.
• Read the back of the brochure they hand you when you buy your food. There are rules you’re supposed to follow that we broke quite a bit- like rolling up the window when an animal is running toward you at full speed. That is a no-no, but we didn’t read that until after we got home, so my apologies to the angry ostrich who tried to break the glass to get to our food inside.
• Read the inside of the brochure. All the animals that live in the park are listed alphabetically, so you can pretend to be the expert on African animals by telling your kids the names of each animal instead of just screaming “What the heck is that!?!” the whole time like I did.
• Buy a spare bucket of food (or two).  If an animal snatches an entire bucket of food out of your kid’s hands right at the entrance gate they are gonna be super sad and it’s a one-way ride so there’s no turning back. So just buy more food to start with. Trust me.
• As long as it’s not too crowded there is not a limit on how many times you can circle through. We actually made two loops through the park because one time was just not enough. We bought more food for the second trip and made it last longer since we were older and wiser.
• It was more crowded on our second loop, so I learned that I was supposed to pull over to the side and let other cars pass me instead of stopping right in the middle and blocking the flow of traffic. Please pull over out of the way if you want to stop for 5 minutes and enjoy petting each animal.
• There are giraffes but they are over by the petting zoo, not out in the open area that you drive through. There’s also a budgie aviary where you can feed them popsicle sticks covered in bird seed as well as a petting zoo with goats and pigs. So don’t miss all that if you want the full experience. You get to feed him one nice green leaf, like the very hungry caterpillar.
• If you are a germophobe or have a fear of being eye-to-eye with large beasts, this is probably not the place for you.
• Take hand sanitizer and baby wipes. Remember that whole “no restroom” thing?
• You WILL  have to vacuum and wash your car afterward to get all the food pellets out of your floorboards and llama-slobber off your windows. Just roll with it. It’s fun.

And my last piece of advice:

If you see a camel walking around with a bucket of food on his head, avoid him at all costs.

July 1, 2018 at 1:12 pm

I’ve watched these so many times now- just love hearing y’all laugh like that. When are you taking me? Mom

July 1, 2018 at 2:49 pm

I have watched it over and over and I laugh every time. Let’s go next week!

July 8, 2018 at 7:46 am

I have got to take C to this soon! Looks like something we’d enjoy! Thanks for sharing!

July 9, 2018 at 10:26 pm

Oh my, looks so scary, and fun at the same time. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post

July 10, 2018 at 3:33 pm

Yes that is the perfect way to describe it, Ivory! 🙂

July 13, 2018 at 12:39 pm

We love your tips! Thanks for writing about us!

July 25, 2018 at 11:13 am

I had so much fun visiting your park with Beth and the kids! Oh the laughter! Bringing my other granddaughter down there soon!

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Take a wild ride at the Alabama Safari Park

Story and photos by Nick Thomas

Visitors to the Alabama Safari Park this summer can expect many of the animal residents to personally greet their human guests. In fact, you’ll have many eating out of the palm of your hand – literally.

Home to more than 800 animals, visitors to the 350-acre wildlife park just south of Montgomery in Hope Hull drive the facility’s 3-mile winding gravel road while pausing periodically to hand-feed the free-roaming zebras, llamas, ostriches, and many other species from food buckets through car windows.

“It’s very safe, but there are rules that should be followed,” says park founder and CEO Eric Mogensen. “For example, you must always remain in your vehicle. You can ride in the bed of a pickup truck, but you absolutely cannot exit your vehicle. We have staff constantly monitoring the park, ensuring everyone follows the rules.”

In addition to catering to the daily stream of curious tourists, the park is dedicated to wildlife conservation as part of the Zoofari Parks group, which operates similar facilities in other states.

“We work closely with other zoos and private breeders around the country on captive breeding programs to build a healthy population of animals,” Mogensen says. This includes their sister parks, Virginia Safari Park, Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, and their newest Texas Safari Park, which is opening soon. “Our collection (of animals) depends upon availability, and proper management depends upon facilities and staffing.”

The park also supports conservation projects both nationally and globally, as well as native Alabama wildlife programs, by offering grants ranging from $100 to $5,000. Supported projects include the Siaga Conservation Alliance, Pygmy Hippo Research, tortoise population research at the University of West Florida, the International Crane Foundation, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

“We budget a certain percentage of our income to be used towards our conservation programs,” Mogensen says. “We believe that there are habitats and species around the world that need additional funding for their programs, and we are able to assist. Our guests can enjoy the fact that while they are enjoying our park, they are actually helping our conservation efforts.”

Mogensen says the park is entirely self-funding, accepting neither donations nor state or federal money. “Because we have been doing this for a long time, we have developed a successful business model that allows us to be self-sufficient. We operate on income generated by admissions, feed sales, our gift shop, and animal encounters.”

Feeding some new friends

In addition to the self-driving tour, animal encounters include hand-feeding giraffes with lettuce (available on-site). From the raised viewing platform, visitors can stand eye-to-eye with the tallest terrestrial animal in the world which, on average, towers some 16 feet over fellow inhabitants in their native African savannahs and woodlands.

For an additional cost, visitors can also feed vegetable sticks to the newest park residents – the slow-moving but gentle two-toed sloths. And in a separate exhibit, Madagascar’s most famous mammals – lemurs – are on display. The park’s ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs represent two of the 100 lemur species that are only native to the west African island nation.

There’s also a petting area with goats, potbellied pigs, chickens, and baby llamas, and at the Kangaroo Walk-About area, the famous bouncing Aussie marsupials could be leaping effortlessly across the grassland, lazing in the Southern sun, or tending to baby joeys in their pouches. Barnaby and Armstid, a pair of Giant Anteaters, are also recent additions to the park’s menagerie.

While Alabama is home to several traditional zoos, Mogensen doesn’t view the park attraction as a commercial rival.

Different from a zoo

“Before we built this park we were in close contact with the management of the Montgomery Zoo and have been careful to be an asset rather than competition,” he says. “We offer a very different experience than the Montgomery or Birmingham Zoos because our park is a drive-thru safari park. Guests can interact more with the animals and have closer encounters with various animals. It’s worth noting that our organizations are very supportive of one another.”

The region just south of Montgomery was selected for the Alabama park site due to the abundant grazing fields. And with Interstate 65 just minutes away, there’s easy access for travelers passing through the area looking for an interesting detour.

For the animals’ safety, visitors cannot provide outside food of any kind, but buckets of suitable feed are available for $5 at the gift shop. But with a constant mobile human food delivery service throughout the day, could the animals overeat?

“Our animals tend to self-regulate when being fed,” Mogensen says. “That is why every trip through is a different experience. When an animal eats and gets full, it will tend to move off and settle down for a nice rest.”

In addition to daily park passes, annual memberships are also available offering unlimited visits.

“We are constantly adding new animals and exhibits and are always planning for the future,” says Mogensen. “A guest should always notice something new with each visit.”

The Alabama Safari Park is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days), with summer hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last admission is 4 p.m. Adults are $22.95, with discounts for children, seniors, and the military. Admission grants access to the Safari Drive-Thru and Walk-Thru areas for the entire day (receipts allow re-entry to the park). Wagon rides are also available for $10 per person.

The park is located off I-65 at Exit 158 at 1664 Venable Road, Hope Hull.  Phone 334-288-2105 or go to www.alabamasafaripark.com for more information.

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers.  

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Elderly American tourist killed in elephant attack while on safari in Zambia

The tourist died after the attack at Kafue National Park.

An elderly American tourist was killed after an "aggressive" bull elephant attacked a vehicle during a game drive in Zambia, the safari operator said.

The incident took place Saturday morning at Kafue National Park, a Lusaka Police spokesperson confirmed to ABC News. Gail Mattson, 79, was confirmed by the family as the victim.

"An aggressive bull elephant charged the vehicle carrying six guests and a guide who were on a game drive from Lufupa Camp," Wilderness, the company operating the safari, said in a statement to ABC News Wednesday.

MORE: Import of live African elephants and hunting trophies restricted in the US

Four other people received treatment for minor injuries after the incident, the company said.

"The six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant," Keith Vincent, Wilderness' chief executive officer, said in the statement, adding, that the safari guide's vehicle was "blocked" by the terrain at the time of the attack.

"Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide's route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm's way quickly enough," Vincent said.

Following the attack, Kafue National Park management was immediately called to assist and a helicopter was dispatched to the scene, according to Vincent. Local police, Zambia's Department of National Parks & Wildlife and other authorities are involved in the investigation, he said.

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Wilderness is cooperating with the investigation, Vincent said.

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"This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died," he said in the statement. "We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident."

The elderly woman's remains will be repatriated to her family in the U.S. with support from local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, according to the statement.

MORE: Videos show terrifying moment bull elephant lifts safari truck

Last month, a similar bull elephant attack took place in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa.

Videos of the March 18 incident show a bull elephant lifting a 22-seat safari truck up several times with his trunk before letting it drop. There were no deaths reported in that incident.

Hendry Blom, a bystander who caught the incident on camera, told ABC News, "We were definitely scared, especially for the people in the truck because we thought they might die."

ABC News' Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.

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79-year-old American tourist killed in elephant attack during game drive in Zambia

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A bull elephant charged a truck that an 79-year-old American was riding in with other tourists on a game drive in a Zambian national park, flipping over the vehicle and killing her, a safari company said.

The attack injured five others on March 30 in the vast  Kafue National Park , which covers 22,400 square kilometers (8,600 square miles) and is one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

Family identified the victim as Gail Mattson, 79.

According to the safari company Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged at the truck, which was carrying six guests and a guide on a morning excursion through wild areas.

It wasn’t clear what upset the bull. But in a video widely circulated online, the pachyderm is seen menacingly charging through the bushy terrain toward the tourists’ vehicle. A man is heard shouting “hey hey hey,” in apparent but futile efforts to scare it away. It reaches the truck and flips it over using its trunk.

Another female tourist was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to South Africa for treatment while the rest were treated for minor injuries, the company said.

“This is a devastating incident for everyone involved and we are doing our best to support the family and all affected,” Tarryn Gibson, the safari company’s head of communications told The Associated Press on Thursday.

While many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with dangerous animals like elephants and lions, such incidents are rare, although they sometimes do occur with fatal consequences due to the unpredictability of wild animals.

Keith Vincent, chief executive officer of the safari company, said rough terrain minimized chances of an escape.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” he said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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