This is the moment a bull elephant on musth – when its testosterone levels can reach 60 times greater than normal – decided to get closely acquainted with a parked hatchback.
The two terrified occupants of this VW Polo found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time as a giant elephant stooped down to rub itself against the vehicle’s roof and bonnet.
The incredible images were taken by Armand Grobler, 21, a field guide and lodge manager, in Pilanesburg National Park in South Africa.
The elephant was thought to have been on musth – a period of time in which its testosterone levels skyrocket
There were two people inside the car at the time the massive bull elephant started playing with it
He said: ‘I was doing ethology – the study of animal behaviour – at the time, so I had a basic understanding of what was going on.
‘The elephant was presumably on musth, which is a time that an elephant male has an excess amount of testosterone, turning even the calmest Dumbo into a r.aging bull.
‘Yet even though it was in this condition, it displayed no signs of a.gg.ression or frustration and was in a more playful mood.’
Elephants frequently use logs, small trees and rocks to relieve an itch or remove p.arasites – but with the car so close to hand, it was a chance too good to pass up.
Mr Grobler added: ‘We were unsure of what to do in the situation when the elephant made contact with the car, and when the car was being c.rushed, we feared for the lives of the driver and passenger but our efforts were very limited as to what we could do.
‘The all-round emotion that was within our vehicle, as we watched in h.orror, was that we were rushed with adrenaline yet t.errified and helpless.
After the elephant had finished the car was left with four blown tires and a broken chassis
The photos were taken by Armand Grobler, a field guide and lodge manager in Pilanesburg, South Africa
‘The two passengers in the car, male and female, both in late 20’s or early 30’s, were not h.armed, only badly shaken up. They were both in s.hock but happy to be alive.
‘The car was not so lucky. From what we could see and hear, all the windows were smashed, the roof was badly dented and the entire top part of the car smashed.
‘All four tyres had been blo.wn and the chassis broken.’
As for the elephant, after giving itself a good scratch, it continued on its way itch-free – oblivious to the des.tr.uction it had left behind
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