The man was returning home from a fishing trip with friends when the grim attack occurred.

14:43, Mon, Feb 9, 2026 Updated: 14:50, Mon, Feb 9, 2026

Close-up of Nile crocodile lying in shallows

The man was returning home from a fishing trip with friends when the grim attack occurred (Image: Getty)

A fisherman has been killed by a crocodile while attempting to flee from a herd of elephants in eastern Zambia. Dean Nyirenda, 52, had been returning from a fishing trip with two friends on Wednesday (February 4) when they ran into the group of animals.

The three men ran for safety, with Mr Nyirenda choosing to dive into a stream near the Luanga River to escape the elephants. "That is when he was attacked by a crocodile by biting his right thigh," local police chief Robertson Mweemba said. The fisherman managed to escape by hitting the huge reptile with a stick and dragging himself out of the water. His two friends, who saw the attack from a distance, rushed to help him, finding him bleeding heavily.

Elephants in a line walking through Zambia, Africa

Dean Nyirenda jumped into a a stream near the Luanga River to escape the elephants but was then attacked by a crocodile (Image: Getty)

"They tried to stop the bleeding but unfortunately he died," Mr Mweemba added, according to the Daily Mail. 

Wildlife officers who then arrived at the scene found deep bite wounds on Mr Nyirenda's right thigh, which were blamed for the fatal blood loss.

The Luangwa River, particularly within the South Luangwa National Park, has one of the highest concentrations of Nile crocodiles in Africa. These huge apex predators, which can exceed 17 feet in length, dominate the river, especially during the summer's dry season. According to Resource Africa, 26 wildlife-related deaths were recorded in 2023, 15 of which were caused by crocodile attacks, most of them along the Luangwa River.

Zambia, South Luangwa National Park, group of people on safari

Clashes between elephants and humans have claimed dozens of lives in recent years. (Image: Getty)

Zambia also has a thriving elephant population of between 21,000 and 27,000 individuals, with the largest concentration also in the South Luangwa National Park and its surrounding valley. Clashes between the world's largest land mammal and humans have claimed dozens of lives in recent years.

The latest news from around the world Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

In July last year, two female tourists, Easton Janet Taylor, 68, from the UK and Alison Jean Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, were killed by a female elephant with a calf during a walking safari in the national park.

Zambian authorities have repeatedly urged locals and tourists to exercise extreme caution when travelling through wildlife hotspots, while officials say measures, including protective fencing, are being assessed to reduce clashes between humans and the animals.