A wild elephant gave safari tourists an unexpected surprise when came up close to their vehicle – and then started using it as a scratching post.
Video filmed by Chantal Pavitra Naidoo, wife of game ranger Kavi Naidoo, shows the elephant stroll towards the open-top vehicle.
As the tourists, enjoying a safari in Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa, fall silent, the elephant gently turns around.
She is then seen unapologetically rubbing her substantial behind against the vehicle, much to the bewilderment of the giggling tourists.
The group chortle quietly as the elephant scratches an itch, while game ranger Kavi warns them not to anger the magnificent animal.
Looking the tourists up and down, the elephant jogs off back towards the riverbed, where the rest of her herd are feeding.
Kavi, who has worked as a game ranger for more than 17 years, said: ‘I thought the elephant was about to move away as elephants do approach closely out of curiosity at times. I did not expect her to turn around and give her behind a good scratching on the front bumper of the open game vehicle.’
Explaining how rare the encounter was, Kavi added: ‘I have had them [elephants] come close many times, but actually touching the vehicle is extremely rare.
Video filmed by Chantal Pavitra Naidoo, wife of game ranger Kavi Naidoo, shows the beautiful creature stroll towards the open-top jeep. As the tourists, enjoying a safari in Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa, fall silent, the elephant gently turns around
She is then seen unapologetically rubbing her substantial behind against the vehicle, while Kavi Naidoo (left and right) tells the bewildered tourists to keep quiet
‘So, to see one scratching its butt against the vehicle was astonishing.’
Kavi said: ‘It was a late afternoon game drive and we came across this breeding herd of elephants feeding along the riverbed.
‘They were quite relaxed and allowed us to get pretty close and view them.
‘Guests sometimes become uneasy and even scared when elephants approach very closely, so I asked them not to panic but just remain seated and not make any sudden movements or sounds that might startle the elephant.
The group chortle quietly as the elephant scratches an itch, while game ranger Kavi warns them not to anger the magnificent animal. Looking the tourists up and down, the elephant jogs off back towards the riverbed, where the rest of her herd are feeding
‘There were many very young calves in the herd and the elders can become very protective and aggressive at times. I did not expect her to turn around and give her behind a good scratching on the front bumper of the open game vehicle.
‘It turned a tense moment into a funny one and some guests even giggled quietly while others tried desperately not to laugh out loudly.
‘With the elephant right against the vehicle at this stage I urged them to be quiet while enjoying the moment, so as not to startle the animal at close range.’
He added: ‘The guests were naturally a bit nervous when the elephant approached as they do charge at vehicles every now and again.
‘The experience is enhanced in an open game vehicle as there is no coverage between you and the animal.
‘But when it began scratching, it turned to be a very funny and unusual situation.’