Video footage of an angry herd of elephants is circulating on social media. In the videos, two safari vehicles carrying multiple passengers are seen approaching the herd when a large elephant barges from the bushes and rams into the side of the game vehicle.
The footage was taken at Selati Game Reserve near Hoedspruit on Sunday, November 28.
Cape {town} Etc contacted Eco Training who confirmed that nobody was injured.
“On a routine activity, the EcoTraining instructors and trainees came across a breeding herd of elephants. The vehicle stopped to observe the elephants and give them a chance to settle down,” their statement reads.
“An elephant bull, who was with the breeding herd, mock charged the vehicle. The elephant bull mock charged again, when they moved forward slowly, and then made contact with the game drive vehicle and displaced it off the road. Once the vehicle had come to a standstill, the trainees were moved to the second vehicle that was parked in close proximity. Both EcoTraining instructors that accompanied the trainees have more than 25 years of experience in the field.”
The General Manager of Selati Game Reserve, Mr. Bryan Havemann, was contacted shortly after the incident and went to the scene to assess the situation.
Havemann said, “although the vehicle was damaged, thankfully none of the people on the vehicle were injured.”
Eco Training said that all the people involved in the incident have received professional counseling after the incident.
Elephant bulls in musth experience high levels of testosterone and may display aggressive behaviour.
The footage is captured by a passenger travelling in a separate vehicle just behind. As seen here, a guest appears to be seated in the rangers seat.
Selati Game Reserve – Eco training – Part 1
Credit: Pafuri via WhatsApp#SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/skRFTPGb5o— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) November 29, 2021
The elephant is in no mood for intruders. It strikes multiple times, pushing the vehicle over completely as passengers jump out and run.
Selati Game Reserve – Eco training – Part 2
Credit: Pafuri via WhatsApp#SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/Gvcbqs3l6G— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) November 29, 2021
The aftermath of the African bush:
Selati Game Reserve – Eco training – Part 3
Credit: Pafuri via WhatsApp#SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/lCSOh8rj5E— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) November 29, 2021
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Picture: Screenshot