A massive elephant in the midst of a South African safari stopped to scratch an itch on a passing car. The VW Polo and its startled passengers happened to be in the elephant’s way as it leaned down to relieve its itch on the car’s roof and hood.
Armand Grobler, a 21-year-old field guide and lodge manager, captured these amazing images in Pilanesburg National Park, South Africa. Grobler, who was studying animal behavior at the time, had a good understanding of the elephant’s behavior.
During the photo shoot, Grobler noticed that the elephant was likely in Musth, a period when male elephants have elevated levels of testosterone, causing them to become more aggressive. Despite this, the elephant displayed no signs of anger or frustration and seemed to be in a playful mood.
Elephants often use objects like logs, small trees, and rocks to scratch an itch or get rid of parasites. However, in this particular case, the car was parked so conveniently close that the elephant couldn’t resist using it instead. Armand mentioned that they were unsure of how to react when the elephant approached the car. As the car started to get crushed, they were worried about the safety of the driver and passenger, but they were limited in what they could do to help.
The atmosphere inside our car was filled with a mix of adrenaline and fear as we witnessed the terrifying scene unfold before us.
Both passengers, a man and a woman in their late twenties or early thirties, were thankfully unharmed but deeply shaken. They were in a state of shock but grateful to have survived the ordeal.
Unfortunately, the car did not fare as well. It sustained significant damage, with all the windows shattered, the roof dented, and the top completely smashed in. Additionally, all four tires were blown out and the chassis was broken.
After scratching itself vigorously, the elephant sauntered along without a care in the world, unaware of the havoc it had caused in its wake.
