One of Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s most respected former keepers has been tragically killed after being struck by an elephant’s trunk in Africa.
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The former zookeeper, Nathan Jamieson, died on Wednesday while working at a safari camp in Botswana.
For the zoo, Mr Jamieson’s death is a double blow, coming two-and-half weeks after the loss of one of its oldest African elephants, Yum Yum.
Mr Jamieson had worked in Dubbo since 2005, coming to the zoo to specialise in elephant care.
“After working at Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos with the elephants in their care, as well as other wildlife, Nathan followed his passion for elephants to Africa, where he worked tirelessly in the cause of elephant conservation and community education,” a zoo spokeswoman said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Friday said consular assistance was being provided to Mr Jamieson’s family in Australia and partner in Botswana.
“An Australian man from NSW was killed in Botswana on Wednesday, October 20, (Canberra time) after being struck by an elephant’s trunk,” a department spokeswoman said.
The zoo said that before his death, Mr Jamieson was excited to be working to preserve an animal he was most passionate about - the African elephant.
Mr Jamieson left the organisation in March 2010 to pursue this dream job which was thought to have been at Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, a tourist destination for “elephant back safaris”.
“He was delighted to be working in the field with these remarkable animals and was part of local and global rehabilitation projects for African elephants,” the zoo’s spokeswoman said.
“Nathan recently addressed an international elephant conference in the USA speaking about the projects he was involved with.”
Mr Jamieson worked with both Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos for a period of 10 years.
He worked in Taronga Zoo’s Africa section with exotic species and elephants before relocating to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 2005 to pursue a specialisation with elephants.
“After 10 years working at both zoos, Nathan was incredibly well respected and was considered
a true leading light in the
organisation,” the zoo spokeswoman said.
“Nathan was an inspirational and passionate man, encouraging his fellow keepers and friends to be tireless advocates for wildlife and conservation.”
