A South African man was trampled to death by an elephant last week, authorities said on Monday.

The incident occurred at a village near the Kruger National Park (KNP), one of Africa's biggest game reserves in northeastern South Africa, the South African National Parks (SANParks) said.

The victim's body was found by KNP rangers on patrol. The rangers saw a man walking along the park's boundary and upon being questioned, the man indicated he was looking for an old man who disappeared from the village a day before, said William Mabasa, SANParks' Acting Head of Communications.

Rangers immediately went on a search and eventually found the body, with signs that it was trampled by an elephant. The case was referred to police for further investigation, according to Mabasa.

On behalf of SANParks Management and Staff, "we wish to express our sincere condolences to the family for the loss of their loved one," he said.

Lives have been unnecessarily lost to wild animals in the park due to people not taking the necessary precautions.

Mabasa urged families from the local communities to look after their loved ones; in particular the senior citizens or the mentally distressed as it is possible for them to wander and disappear into the park which is dangerous, said Mabasa.

Source : XINHUA