Safari guide Gary Freeman was a man of conviction. He once swore he would rather die by an elephant than shoot one. The South Africa safari guide lived up to that principle.
Freeman refused to fire on an elephant even as it trampled and killed him.
The incident happened on April 9. The safari guide was at the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve when a wild elephant attacked him, according to the Daily Mail.
A charging elephant killed a longtime safari guide in South Africa who allegedly once declared that he "would rather be killed by" an elephant than shoot one. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said that Freeman was leading a walking tour when the attack happened.
"As the group were walking, an elephant suddenly emerged and charged at him," Mashaba said. "He tried to scare it off with the revolver he was carrying, but he was ultimately attacked by the elephant."
Safari Guide Killed by Elephant
Freeman had been running the tour for almost 30 years.
"As a result, Gary has become an integral part of the KPNR community, with guests often returning to partake in the unique experience he offers; he refers to his guests as family and forms such a deep connection with them that he even gets invited to family gatherings as big as weddings," the reserve said.
"In the past, we heard Gary speak of his deep respect and love for elephants. He said he would rather be killed by, than shoot, one," she wrote on Facebook. "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."
The reserve also wrote, "Gary was a true gentleman and an integral part of the fabric of the Klaserie. His presence, kindness, and contribution to this landscape will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Gary will always remain part of the Klaserie."
