Elderly Woman Trampled by Elephant
A 68-year-old Pretoria East woman, Petronella Margaretha Viljoen—known as Ronel—tragically died after being trampled by elephants in the Kruger National Park on 10 May 2025.
nnnnViljoen, a resident of Brummeria, Pretoria, was visiting the Sirheni Bushveld Camp, located in the park’s northern Mopane veld region. According to reports from fellow tourists, she left her cottage in the late afternoon for a walk and exited the camp via the gate—unnoticed by staff.
nnnnHer husband raised the alarm when he realised she was missing. Park rangers and staff launched an immediate search, and her body was discovered around 23:00 that evening. CCTV footage reportedly shows Viljoen walking out of the camp gate and onto the park road.
nnnnPolice spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that Viljoen encountered a herd of elephants shortly after leaving the camp, which resulted in her being fatally trampled. By the time her body was found, the elephants had already moved away from the area.
nnnnLedwaba added that all family members had been informed and that a formal investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
nnnnThe case was reported to the Saselamani Police Station, located in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality near the park’s Punda Maria Gate.
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