Ian Gibson was trampled to death by an elephant bull (not pictured)

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Ian Gibson had been on the tracks of an elephant bull while guiding a hunt in Chewore North, Zimbabwe, along with a client, when he spotted the animal close by.

He then established that the elephant was in musth, a period of behavioural change in the animal usually characterised by aggression, but continued to track it until they were around 50 to 100 metres away.

The elephant then "instantly turned and began a full charge" towards the pair before Mr Gibson was brutally stamped to death.

His death raises further questions about the whole issue of so-called big game hunting following this week’s Walter Palmer outrage.

Palmer, the now internationally-loathed US dentist sparked a worldwide hate campaign after admitting paying £35,000 ($50,000) to kill Cecil the lion, a much beloved animal, in Zimbabwe.

News of the death was announced online by website Safari Classics, who posted the following message: "It is with deep sadness to announce the passing of Chifuti Safaris professional hunter Ian Gibson.