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Rangers Kill Taunted Tusker

Posted Jan 8, 08 3:25 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Tusker, a 50-year-old bull elephant, was an old  favorite at a safari park in Zimbabwe, but rangers shot him dead after he trampled several cars at a rowdy New Year's Eve party where the animal was taunted. Witnesses say that drunken partygoers teased Tusker by flashing car lights, lighting fireworks, throwing bottles and even slapping his rump, AP reports.

Rangers said the towering elephant had become a danger but others disagreed. "Despite this senseless abuse, we have had no reports of Tusker hurting anyone, which is testament to his basic good nature," said a conservationist. "It is shocking these parties where drugs and alcohol are abused are permitted in wildlife areas."
Source: Associated Press

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In this October 2007 photo supplied by the Independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, Tusker, the towering 50 year old bull is seen at a lodge in Kariba. Tusker was shot Sunday Jan. 6 2008 at Charara...   (Associated Press)
Africans elephants in a South African game reserve. The head of a Zimbawean conservation task force questioned the need for rangers to execute Tusker, pointing out that the towering pachyderm hadn't actually...   (Magnum Photos)
In this October 2007 photo supplied by the Independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, Tusker, the towering 50 year old bull is seen at a lodge in Kariba. Tusker was shot Sunday Jan. 6 2008 at Charara...   (Associated Press)
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