Safari Owner Killed by Charging Elephant After Vowing Never to Shoot One
A South African safari park owner who once declared he would rather die than shoot an elephant has been killed in exactly that manner. Gary Freeman, 65, was leading a group of tourists on a guided hike when an elephant charged. He brandished his revolver in an attempt to scare the animal but deliberately refrained from pulling the trigger.
The Fatal Encounter
Mr Freeman, a co-owner of the vast 148,000-acre Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, was attacked along the banks of the Klaserie River. A source close to the incident described the attack as "all over quickly." "Gary tried to break the charge but he never fired a shot," the source said. "The elephant was very quickly on him and it was, as you can imagine, not pleasant. There is nothing anyone can do to stop six tonnes of angry elephant. Fortunately it was all over quickly."
The group of four tourists assisted in getting Mr Freeman onto a vehicle and rushed him for medical attention, but he had already succumbed to his injuries. The reserve is situated on the western border of Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa.
A Man of Deep Conviction
Friends and former guests recalled Mr Freeman's profound respect for wildlife. Judy Connors, who attended his safari camp in February, wrote on Facebook: "In the past we have heard Gary speak of his deep respect and love for the elephants. He said he would rather be killed by an elephant than shoot one." She added a poignant reflection: "Perhaps this is what I want to believe but there must have been a special bond, soul-to-soul, for this elephant to be the chosen one tasked with his deliverance."
Another friend, Thomas Marshall, praised him as a "legend" who was "totally at one with nature." A mechanical engineering graduate, Mr Freeman had run Gary Freeman Safaris for 33 years after becoming a ranger. Standing over six feet tall, he was affectionately known as "Thutwa" (giraffe) in the local Tswana language.
Legacy of Conservation
Mr Freeman was a founding co-owner of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, established in 1969 when 36 farm owners merged their land. The reserve is one of South Africa's largest Big Five game reserves, home to approximately 750 wild elephants, along with rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalo, and hundreds of bird species. The Big Five—elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, and leopard—are traditionally considered the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot.
Official Response and Investigation
The incident occurred on April 9, but details have only recently emerged. Police in Limpopo Province have opened an inquest. Police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed: "The deceased... was touring with tourists and at some point alighted from their vehicle and walked on foot. As the group were walking an elephant suddenly emerged and charged at him. He tried to scare it off with the revolver he was carrying but he was ultimately attacked." He noted there is no evidence the firearm was discharged.
No action has been taken against the elephant, but experts are studying its behaviour to assess any future threat. Male elephants, the world's largest land animals, can reach 13 feet in height, weigh up to six tonnes, and run at speeds of 25 mph. They are responsible for up to 500 human fatalities annually across Africa.
Tributes and a Tragic Precedent
A spokesman for Klaserie Private Nature Reserve paid tribute: "Gary was a true gentleman and an integral part of the fabric of Klaserie... a remarkable and extraordinary trail guide who loved the bush. Gary's presence, kindness and contribution to this landscape will be deeply missed."
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in July 2025, when two female tourists, including British pensioner Janet Easton, 68, were trampled to death by a protective female elephant in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, despite guides firing warning shots.
