Kiwi tourist Alison Taylor killed by elephant in Zambia was ‘amazing’ woman

An “amazing” Kiwi tourist killed by an elephant in Zambia this week is being remembered as an adventurous traveller, having previously visited Antarctica.

Alison Jean Taylor, 67, died alongside her relative, Easton Janet Taylor, 68, while on safari in Africa on Thursday morning local time.

The pair were observing wildlife near Big Lagoon Camp in South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia when they were charged by a mother elephant.

“The two female tourists, while taking a safari walk to a crossing point at Luangwa river, spotted an elephant with a calf at a distance and diverted for about 50 metres away, but within a few minutes after diverting, [the armed officer] who is usually behind, saw the elephant charging at them,” Eastern Province police commissioner Robertson Mweemba told the Zambia Daily Mail.

“He shouted, ‘Elephant’. As they turned to see, they saw it charging at a high speed and, due to the fact that Alison Jean Taylor had a leg problem, she was caught first and, while the wildlife police officer fired warning shots, Easton Janet Taylor was caught as well.”

The sisters had been moving between camps when the incident happened.

The Herald understands Alison Taylor had previously had a hip operation.

A neighbour of Alison Taylor, who did not want to be named, described her as an “amazing, amazing woman”, noting she had travelled many places, including Antarctica and Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria was providing consular assistance “following this tragic event”.

Easton Taylor was a pensioner in the UK, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.