Tragic Elephant Attack Claims Life of New Mexico Tourist in Zambia

A heartbreaking incident occurred in Zambia when a 64-year-old tourist from Albuquerque, New Mexico, named Juliana G. Letourneau, fell victim to a deadly elephant charge. This marks the second fatal elephant attack on a tourist in the country this year.

Letourneau had recently marveled at the breathtaking beauty of Victoria Falls, a majestic 350-foot waterfall bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. Tragically, as she and her travel companions were returning to their hotel, their path intersected with a herd of elephants.

Stopping to observe these magnificent creatures, the group found themselves in a perilous situation when one of the elephants suddenly charged towards them while they stood in awe. According to Auxensio Daka, the police commissioner for Zambia’s southern province, Letourneau sustained severe injuries during the attack.

Transported to a clinic within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park near Livingstone, Zambia, Letourneau was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her injuries included deep wounds on her right shoulder blade and forehead, a fractured left ankle, and a slightly depressed chest, as detailed in the police statement.

While no other individuals were harmed during the confrontation with the elephant, the incident has left a profound impact on Letourneau’s family. Her brother, when reached for comment, expressed his grief and declined to provide further details, while other family members could not be immediately reached for additional statements.