A video of a man jumping out of his vehicle and running into the bush as an adult bull elephant approaches his car in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) has set the internet alight.

Shannon Melville, a former Durbanite on holiday in KZN from the UK, shot the once-in-a-lifetime video while on a family trip to HiP on Thursday.

In the video, the man can be seen exiting the vehicle via the passenger door and running at high speed into the bush where he appears to wait for the elephant to walk away.

The elephant in turn appears somewhat bewildered, lifting its head and watching the man running away, before it starts making its way down the road, towards the vehicle from which the video was filmed.

Melville said there were two men in the vehicle – the driver and the passenger who fled.

“After the filming, the elephant safely passed our vehicle and went off into the bush, after which the guy ran back out of the bush and into the car – so everyone was safe.” said Melville.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo confirmed the incident took place on the road from Hilltop resort to Mpila camp.

“We assumed all parties involved were not injured as we have not received any news of injuries or death following the incident,” said Mntambo.

He added that Ezemvelo does not condone this behaviour, and advised that appropriate action is to keep a distance from the elephants and to reverse your vehicle to maintain a safe distance.

“Unfortunately, we do not know how that car found itself so close to the elephant. In the event that you find yourself in such proximity, close the windows and do not move any part of your body.

“That elephant was not fighting, it was just inquisitive. It would have smelt the car and moved on. Getting out of the car is a big no as you may be running towards other, more dangerous predators.”

Warning: The video contains some profanity: