The American tourist killed by a charging bull elephant that flipped over their safari vehicle in Zambia over the weekend has been identified as 79-year-old Gail Mattson.
Mattson, who was visiting from Minnesota, was pictured the day she was killed on the safari vehicle holding a flower, her grieving family told KSTP.
She was one of six tourists with the group Wilderness Zambia who were out on a photography tour Saturday in Kafue National Park when they came under attack by the incensed animal.
Family told the outlet that the U.S. Embassy contacted them about her death.
Loved ones described the 79-year-old as kind, adventurous and very active in her community.
“She had told us that this safari was going to be her last big adventure,” said John Longabauth. “Because her birthday is in the summer — I think she was going to be 80, and she felt like she would start slowing down. To be honest, I don’t know if she’d slow down or not. But at least you wouldn’t be traveling as far, probably.”
Mattson split time between living in Minnesota and Arizona, her family said.