Long-time supporter of Latest Sightings, Beryl Venter and her partner, witnessed the mammoth meltdown and sent their video and story to Latest Sightings. She filmed it while heading to the park exit between Letaba Camp and Phalaborwa Gate, Kruger National Park.
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Depressed
Beryl told Latest Sightings that after a 5-week stay, she felt sad about leaving the park. As she would soon find out, she wasn’t the only one having a bad day.
Not expecting much, her spirits lifted when she saw, “Wild dogs running around and playing in the road; twenty-one of them!”
As one of Africa’s most endangered predators, she had cause for lifting her mood.
Passing through
Soon after, a second vehicle arrived, and the occupant asked if he could pass, as he was running late. Beryl obliged, and the other vehicle slowly moved forward.
Moments later, she heard and then saw an elephant come charging out of the bush from the right, chasing after the wild dogs.
Enraged
This was no mock charge, and the trumpeting bull seemed intent on wreaking havoc on any dog foolish enough to hang around.
Ears flared and tail held horizontally, the warning signs were clear: the dogs were not welcome. Thankfully, the dogs could easily outrun the blustering bull.
About Turn
With the bulk of the pack having been disposed of, the bull turned to see off any stragglers.
Meanwhile, the second vehicle had stopped on the road… and was right in the path of the returning bull.
Then, the driver did the only sensible thing and engaged reverse gear, rolling backwards while the elephant charged back down the road towards them.
Looming Large
In the meantime, with the elephant getting ever closer, Beryl had a dilemma. They were towing a caravan and couldn’t reverse with traffic now backed up behind them. All they could do was hope for the best.
Consequently, the driver of one of the other vehicles blasted their horn. Surprisingly, that was all it took to make the elephant halt its rampage.
Likely Explanation
As the elephant turned slightly on the road ahead, we got our first glimpse of what likely led to the whole episode.
A dark secretion can be seen on the elephant’s cheek, just behind the eye. Its hind legs were also soaked with urine. These factors, along with the unprovoked aggressive behaviour, suggest that the elephant bull is in a breeding phase known as musth.
Occurring several times a year, it is caused by a massive surge in the reproductive hormone testosterone. Along with increased aggression, the bull experiences a strong desire to mate.
Heightened aggression helps them fight off rivals and separate potential mates from the protection of their herds.
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Body Language
Another behaviour which should be taken as a warning that an elephant is in musth was seen a short while later.
When musth bulls drape their trunks over a tusk, standing at full height with ears flared, they aim to intimidate rivals or threats.
However, when an elephant is not in musth, resting its trunk can signal a relaxed state. That is why it’s important to consider overall behaviour and body language when interpreting their mood or intentions.
We’ll Be Back!
For Beryl, what began as a day to forget had transformed into one she will always remember.
“This is a sighting we will never forget, and that is what makes Kruger so very special. Cannot wait to go back!”, Beryl said.
Here’s another sighting that has an angry elephant frightening people.
River Cruise With A Bothered Elephant
In the Chobe River, the seasonal floods have made the place home to many large fauna, including elephants. At this time of year, it’s also when the boating season happens.
Elephant Minding Its Own Business
Su-an Maris was on a river cruise in the Chobe River Kasane Area with her mother-in-law to celebrate her 60th birthday.
They spotted this massive elephant, and their boat’s skipper decided to inch closer for them to have a close view.
Elephants love to immerse themselves in water and eat, and in this scene, it was doing both.
Having the best time of their lives, the tourists must have assumed that the elephant was also in a good mood.
The boat slowly moved closer to the elephant, a wise move from the skipper, and he turned the engine off to avoid startling the elephant. Elephants are mindful about space, so minimising your presence as much as possible will put you off their trample list.
River Current Brings Them Closer To The Beast
At this time of year, the Chobe will have strong currents because of the rains.
The skipper likely underestimated the current and did not expect the boat to keep getting closer to the elephant. Its chewing and munching have become more audible.
As it became uncomfortably close, the elephant decided to bluff a charge.
Fortunately, the river guide and skipper have briefed them not to stand up and make sudden movements during the cruise. This reduced the elephant’s anxiety and prevented it from getting agitated.
In these cases, it’s always important to observe wildlife, no matter how big they are, at a safe distance. It’s good to be close and personal, but safety should always be the priority.