Singita Lebombo, Elephant Charge, May 2009

Everyone has a bad day sometimes as did this elephant cow who decided to charge our Land Rover. We were not particularly close (and certainly not threatening), but we could see that she was irritable and protective of the herd. There's a bit of a standoff as we hold back and give her space to move on. For a moment it looks like she's going to do just that but then she has a change of heart. It ended up being a mock charge - she was satisfied we were retreating.

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Never ceases to amaze me as to how many Safari Novices feel they need to tell every experienced Guides & Trackers just what to do !

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Note - It only ran forward once the vehicle started backing away. Stand Firm, be calm. Note difference between ‘mock’ and ‘real’ - head down, ears pinned back and trunk under and it means business.

[@LukeCageforhire]

awesome displaying "stand back"

[@debrabiderman4275]

Smart guide. Unhappy Ellie

[@barryjacobs8524]

The elephants must get fed up with the tourists. Some of the remarks they make are so irritating. I applaud the rangers. They love the elephants.

[@eugeniaskelley5194]

Was that a forest elephant? The man on the front of the truck. What a job to have. All in a days work for him.

[@lindaczop]

She's mad as hell and not going to take it anymore 😅

[@eugenefuhri5466]

When an Elephant is not happy with your presence, better to close the sighting and find another one for your guests!

[@blueseabluesky11]

True ..why to disturb their peace

[@marioncollison4451]

Exactly...why oh why irritate an awesome elephant even more...ur guests have taken their pics...leave...and allow the elephants their space n peaceful environment...it's called RESPECT

[@lalithamichael2668]

Well said!why linger around until u get flipped over!

[@calsurflance5598]

That would be a bad time for reverse not to work.

[@ek9509]

If by a stroke of ill fortune you come face-to-face with an angry elephant, you'll need to know how to avoid being hurt. Fortunately, most elephant charges are just “mock” charges meant to frighten you but not harm you. If facing down a charging, angry elephant, your best bet is to shout, yell, and make as much noise as you can. With these directions in mind, you'll be well prepared to survive an elephant charge.

[@Chief8042]

Thank you, I'll keep this in mind the next time I see an elephant!

[@ek9509]

A female elephant is called a cow, even though she doesn't moo.

[@Soucry-kb4mw]

Pourquoi ?

[@ronparker3000]

He said, “I can cover 21 feet in a second. How about you?”

[@garygregg4597]

Is that bait riding on front?

[@margie4163]

Snackrifice!

[@paulalim1476]

So know We know where baby Ellies learn their charging skills.

[@PetroniloPocaspulgas]

ESE NO FUE TERREMOTO FUE TAN SOLO UN TEMBLOR. YO EN MI VIDA EN EL SALVADOR SOBREVIVI TRES TERREMOTOS DE VERDAD.

[@karthikm999]

in the name of tourism people are posing a challenge to the animals inside the wild and these poor animals really get stressed out due to this

[@jerryumfress9030]

Humans are invading the elephants territory

[@janicegicker609]

What's that tell him that expert driver on what to do I mean isn't just a customer has just you want to take the wheel should be there if she doesn't trust you completely even at that accidents happen and you can't be blamed

[@shauna5466]

Why don't they leave when they see the elephant is stressed such asses!!!

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

My thoughts exactly.

[@mbt1845]

You cannot really move quickly or go back when the animal is angry like that. you need to wait or move slowly otherwise it will run and charge you.

[@DrewHanks2083]

Was not a charge at all

[@melaniewalker5226]

Well that told you didn't it, it begins with an f and ends with an f she's not putting up with any of your nonsense.😂

[@allesschwarz_liebe5871]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lupe1967]

what if the vehicle suddenly stopped or malfunctioned? these tourists like to endanger themselves and their family, usually their kids, just for a close-up of an elephant and some adrenaline. narcissism is still alive and well in this twisted world.

[@qbcqweful]

The guide isn't smart plus the driver

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Coffeman - You, from your remark, apparently have a lot of experience of Safaris. Pray sehr where and how many ? My opinion - sensible Driver and brilliant team work, with the obviously highly experienced, Tracker. There’s a right time to withdraw from a sighting and there’s a wrong one too.

[@michaelwashington2682]

What's the point of going f**k with the elephant anyway.

[@WildlifeObsessed]

We said exactly the same when we read your Comment.