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Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tom Siebel recovering from elephant attack

There are plenty of traps for IT entrepreneurs to watch out for, such as burning through too much cash, being dumped by nervous investors or getting your brilliant idea stolen. But Tom Siebel, the billionaire founder of Siebel Software, has revealed a rather unusual career hiccup – being attacked by an elephant. Siebel has told […]
James Thomson
James Thomson

There are plenty of traps for IT entrepreneurs to watch out for, such as burning through too much cash, being dumped by nervous investors or getting your brilliant idea stolen.

But Tom Siebel, the billionaire founder of Siebel Software, has revealed a rather unusual career hiccup – being attacked by an elephant.

Siebel has told the San Jose Mercury News that the animal attacked him during guided tour in Tanzania in August. It broke several ribs, gored his left leg and crushed his right leg.

Siebel and the guide (who was also attacked) were watching a herd of elephants about 200 metres away when one attached.

“There was no apparent reason, nothing that should have made it feel threatened,” Siebel said.

“It was quiet and then the quiet stopped.”