The Melville family from the U.K. were on safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in South Africa when it witnessed a “hilarious sighting,” as LatestSightings.com put it.
As the tourists drove along a road, a white Toyota passed them by in a hurry and rounded a corner out of their sight.
Moments later, they came upon the sight of a massive bull elephant strutting along the road toward the Toyota, which by then was parked at the side of the road.
“The elephant approached the tiny white Toyota, and we all held our breath, expecting the elephant to damage this vehicle in some way,” Byron Melville, 24, told LatestSightings.com.
“Suddenly, the passenger door flings open, and out comes a man running. [Our] vehicle was filled with shock, and shortly after, bursts of laughter broke out. At this point, we could not believe our eyes.”
Of course, they caught the moment on video.
“No, don’t get out,” someone said.
“There could be a lion” in the bush, another said.
LatestSightings.com stated that humans have three reactions to fear: Fight, flight or freeze. “Clearly, the gentleman chose flight as his preferred method of handling the situation.”
Also on FTW Outdoors: No shortage of stupidity when humans meet elk (video)
Eventually, the Melville family focused back on the elephant.
“We turned to the elephant and were unsure who was more surprised—the elephant or the man,” Byron said. “The elephant displayed signs of shock and confusion as to what had just transpired. Eventually, the elephant decided it may be best for him to move off.
“After what felt like a lifetime, the running man appeared out of nowhere, got back into his vehicle, and was on his way again. Perhaps his bizarre decision saved his life and his vehicle.”
That, we will never know.
Fortunately, the elephant moved on from the Melville family, too.
