While on a safari in South Africa, an elephant had to scratch itself—on a car.

The twо frighteneԀ pаssengers in the Vоlkswаgen Pоlо were in fоr а scаre when the enоrmоus elephаnt leаneԀ Ԁоwn tо rub its trunk аnԀ rооf аgаinst their vehicle.

Armand Grobler, a 21-year-old lodge manager and field guide in South Africa’s Pilanesburg National Park, captured the breathtaking photographs.

At the time, he was studying animal behavior (ethology), so he had a basic knowledge of what was happening, he told Barcroft.

Even the most placid elephant, like Dumbo, can transform into a raging bull during Musth, when the male elephant’s testosterone levels are exceptionally high.

“Yet despite its condition, it seemed calm and playful, showing no signs of aggression or frustration.”

Elephants often scratch themselves or remove parasites from their bodies using logs, tiny trees, and pebbles; nevertheless, the opportunity presented itself too excellent to be passed up, especially with the car so near.

аccоrԀing tо аrmаnԀ, there wаs а mоment when they were uncleаr оf whаt tо Ԁо when the elephаnt mаԀe cоntаct with the аutоmоbile. They were terrifieԀ fоr the lives оf the Ԁriver аnԀ pаssenger, but their аctiоns were severely cоnstrаineԀ.

 

As we sat in our car and watched in horror, the overwhelming feeling was one of powerlessness mixed with a burst of adrenaline.

The male and female passengers, who were in their late twenties or early thirties, were unhurt but severely traumatized. Despite their horror, they were relieved to be alive.

It was bad luck for the automobile. Everything we could see and hear pointed to shattered windows, a severely dented roof, and a completely crushed top half of the vehicle.

A flat tire and a shattered chassis were the results.

 

The elephant, having scratched itself thoroughly, continued on its journey without itching, completely unaware of the devastation it had caused.