Elephant caught on camera crashing car in Thai national park
An elephant that had escaped from a Thai national park climbed on top of a vehicle during mating season and crushed it.
The vehicle was traveling through the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, near Bangkok, on the way to nearby National Children’s Day celebrations.
However, the driver was compelled to stop when the male elephant wandered out into the middle of the road and approached his car.
The footage was taken inside the vehicle, with an iPhone positioned within. The animal approaches the car very closely and leans its trunk on the bonnet.
The elephant then steps on the bonnet with two front feet before bringing up its hind legs and almost sitting upon the car.
The huge beast then leaps off the car and walks away, leaving a badly dented bonnet with a cracked windscreen.
Fortunately, the passengers in the vehicle were unharmed.
It’s the second incident this month. On New Year’s Day, one elephant damaged another three vehicles.
It is uncertain if the same elephant was involved in both incidents.
According to the National, an elephant does not usually come near cars, but this one may be worried by mating season.
He said:’The elephants may be under strain during the mating season. The movement of vehicles might have added to the tension.’
When female elephants reach sexual maturity, they are generally kicked out of their herd, so they do not mate with family members.
This is why the elephant has escaped, and drivers going through the park have been warned to be more cautious.