Ian Gibson was trampled to death by an elephant (Picture: Theelephanthunter.com)

An elephant turned the tables on a hunter who wanted to kill it when the animal trampled him to death.

Ian Gibson had been leading a hunt with a client in Chewore North, Zimbabwe, when he spotted a bull elephant that he had been tracking.

Despite being aware that the animal was experiencing a period of aggressive behavioural change, he continued to track the beast until they were just 150 to 300 ft away.

The elephant then turned and charged at the pair, before Mr Gibson was brutally trampled to death.


His death was announced online, by hunting website Safari Classics.

‘It is with deep sadness to announce the passing of Chifuti Safaris professional hunter Ian Gibson’, they wrote.



‘Ian was tragically killed by an elephant bull earlier today while guiding an elephant hunt in Chewore North.’

Ian Gibson was trampled to death by a bull elephant (Picture: Tony Karumba/ AFP/Getty Images)

They continued: ‘The bull instantly turned and began a full charge. Ian and Robert began shouting in order to stop the charge.

‘At very close range, Ian was able to get off one shot before the bull killed him. The scene was very graphic.’

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According to reports, Mr Gibson’s client was unharmed in the incident.

His death comes only days after a hunter provoked mass outrage when she posed with a giraffe she had killed.

Rebecca Francis received a string of death threats, after the picture which showed her smiling next to the bloodied corpse of the giraffe went viral.