Two tourists were given probably the scariest moment of their lives when an elephant attacked their car as they drove from the Memorial Gate to Hilltop Resort inside Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park on Wednesday.
The incident took place around midday on Wednesday when the occupants of the car closely encountered the bull elephant along the road.
Ezemvelo Wildlife Spokesperson Musa Mntambo said the occupants of the car who pleaded for anonymity said they observed the bull elephants walk towards their car.
He thought the bull elephant which approached in peace was in a relaxed mood.
“As the elephant walked toward the car, it somehow decided to acknowledge the presence of the Ford Figo by just laying its trunk on the bonnet. As this was an unexpected action by the elephant, the driver tried to extricate his car from the situation. The elephant, however, did not appreciate the driver’s behaviour, ” Mntambo narrated.
Mntambo explained that the elephant stuck its tusk inside the manager’s window and it cracked like it was never there.
He said the elephant lifted the vehicle rugby-style and pushed the car until it changed its mind on going further.
“As if that was not scary enough, the elephant continued to push and attack the car’s rear before deciding it was not worth it to waste its energy on an object that did not retaliate, so it backed off,” said Mntambo
The car was pushed into a ditch but has now been safely removed with the two occupants visibly shaken.