These photos show the hilarious moment a herd of elephants decided to slide down a steep bank to get to their watering hole a little faster.
Instead of venturing down 50ft of the shoreline first, the team decided it would be safer to roll down their sides and stomachs.
All 60 giant mammals stacked up as they made their way down the slope.
They fell in less than 20 minutes before splashing in the water.
The entire scene was captured by amateur photographer Christophe Beaudufe, who was on safari when he spotted the unusual sight on camera.
Mr. Beaudufe, 50, captured the scene while on the Sabie River in Kruger National Park in South Africa.
He said: ‘I was driving along when I saw these elephants sliding down the sandy riverbank on their side.
‘At first, I thought they had lost their balance, but they kept sliding down like children in the playground.’
He added: ‘I couldn’t see any of the elephants flipping over, and they all seemed to be proficient in gliding techniques, lying on their sides with their legs downwards.
‘After playing and bathing for an hour, they crossed the river and came to the road ahead to go back to the bush.
‘I was so lucky to spot this incredible behavior on my first safari.’
Mr. Beaudufe thought this particular herd was accustomed to making the downward journey.
He said: ‘The elephants showed no signs of stress, and they even seemed happy to do so, as the youngest ones just had a good time playing once in the riverbed.’
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