Johannesburg - The sight of a charging bull elephant is intimidating enough from the relative safety of a safari truck.
So imagine the terror of these tourists who were on foot when this beast came thundering towards them.
Crashing through the bush and kicking up a haze of dust, the African elephant roared as it charged the hiking group in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
But the tourists stood their ground, bringing the elephant to a halt. Then came a heart-stopping stand-off lasting just a few seconds before the elephant turned away.
Cornel Rademeyer, the group’s guide, had aimed his rifle at the head of the beast as a last resort but fortunately it was not needed. Had the group turned and run, it is likely to have encouraged the elephant to chase them.
The tourists had been watching the bull from a distance for some minutes before the confrontation and the whole episode was caught on video.
After the elephant returned to the bush the amateur filmmaker could be heard whispering: “Everyone’s able to breathe now” and the group can be seen smiling in relief.
Even being on wheels doesn’t always guarantee an uneventful safari. Last year a bull elephant attacked a group of tourists in a car at the same national park. Despite heavy damage to the car, the group managed to escaped injury. - Daily Mail
* Watch video here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2802144/dramatic-moment-tourists-safari-stand-ground-against-charging-african-bull-elephant.html#v-3851353793001