Further details on field guide killed by elephant

What started out as a routine fence inspection for Sheldon Hooper and a co-worker, ended tragically.

Hooper, a 27-year-old field guide, was killed by an elephant during the inspection on August 18. He was working at the Thornybush River Lodge and had been employed by the Thornybush Collection (Inzalo) since January 2019.

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According to Trevor Jordan, Thornybush Nature Reserve’s warden, Hooper and a co-worker were conducting a routine inspection of the electrified fence around the lodge when the incident occurred.

“The co-worker explained that there was a family group of elephants that had somehow gained access to the lodge surrounds (despite the electrified boundary fence), that were obviously startled by their appearance.”

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While the co-worker managed to escape to the safety of the staff quarters nearby, it would appear that Hooper took refuge in a thicket. “Tracks indicate that an elephant cow, obviously protecting her young calf, charged and trampled him.

“The cow’s tusk pierced his chest and leg and he succumbed to his wounds while awaiting the ambulance, despite its timely arrival. It is believed that the attack was an unfortunate accident.”

Jordan said the elephants at Thornybush are generally very relaxed, as being in a popular tourism reserve, they are in regular contact with guests.

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The field staff at Thornybush have continued with regular drives during lockdown to monitor the fences and wildlife on the reserve, and elephants are a very common sighting.

In the little time Jordan spent with Hooper, he found him to be a knowledgeable and extremely respectful person, “comfortable in the bush and at one with nature”.