This is the incredible moment when a safari guide halts a wild elephant in its tracks by clapping his hands and shooing it away.
Louie Taylor was on a tour through the Amakhala Game Reserve in South Africa when a herd of elephants halted his guided excursion.
As the guide waited, one of the more interested giants began examining the group before approaching the van.
The driver rapidly snaps his fingers at the elephant and flaps his hand to shoo it away.
Surprisingly, the animal comes to a complete stop before turning and moving across the road on the opposite side.
‘We passed a herd of about six elephants, four adults, and two youngsters,’ added Louie.
When a larger elephant emerged and appeared to charge ahead at the vehicle, the youngsters were being mischievous and playing with the car.
The tour guide informed us that a similar incident had occurred with the same elephant several weeks prior.
‘Fortunately, the elephant was good this time and followed the directions of the seasoned safari guide, which allowed us to get back in our vehicle without having to crawl under it.
Tour guides have been known to employ the same methods in emergency situations to deter elephants.
The beasts can weigh up to 6000kg and stand up to 11ft tall.
Elephant at.ta.cks are most often seen during musth, when the young males’ testosterone levels are extremely high, and they may become violent.
But in South Africa, elephant populations are under more assault from po.ac.hers, who k.i.ll up to 55 of them every day.
