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The giant animal then turned its attention to a police van on the road, which reversed as quickly as it could to get out the way.
Elephants in the Kruger National Park. Picture: Sibongumenzi Sibiya/The Citizen
Wildlife and traffic scattered chaotically when an elephant recently threw a huge tantrum on a road at Kruger National Park.
Beryl Venter and her partner got to witness this outburst on video while heading to the park exit between Letaba Camp and Phalaborwa Gate.
Chaos ensued
Beryl told Latest Sighting that the couple saw “wild dogs running around and playing in the road, 21 of them”, when suddenly an elephant emerged from the bushes and chased the dogs.
She claims the enraged trumpeting elephant seemed adamant on wreaking havoc on any dog dumb enough to keep lurking.
The dogs managed to escape the elephant as its ears flared up.
The giant animal then turned its attention to a police van on the road, which reversed as quickly as it could to get out of the way.
WATCH: The elephant rush towards police car
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Beryl’s car was towing a caravan and could not reverse with the traffic backed up behind it. All they could do was hope for the best.
Horn to the rescue
In the midst of all that chaos, the driver of one of the other vehicles blasted their hooter. This became their saving grace as it surprisingly made the elephant halt its rampage.
The elephant had dark secretion on its cheek, just behind the eye. Its legs were also soaked with urine. According to Beryl, these and the aggressive behaviour suggest that the elephant bull is in a breeding phase known as musth.
What is musth?
In a note to visitors, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve explained that musth is a condition marked by heightened aggression and unpredictable behaviour in male elephants. It usually occurs annually in association with a surge in testosterone levels.
It is believed to be linked to sexual arousal or establishing dominance.
Wild bulls in musth often produce a characteristic low, pulsating rumbling noise known as “musth rumble”, which other elephants can hear from miles away.
Upon witnessing all this, Beryl said, “This is a sighting we will never forget, and that is what makes Kruger so very special. I can’t wait to go back!”
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