Safari Tour Group Holds Breath as 'Curious' Bull Elephant Inspects Vehicle

A bull elephant in Chobe, Botswana, was seen up-close as it inspected a group of people on a game drive, video recorded on March 19 shows.

Footage recorded by Megan Kelly shows the elephant at Chobe National Park approaching their vehicle, as the inhabitants are seen trying to remain still and quiet.

Kelly told Storyful the elephant was in musth – a natural phenomenon that occurs in male elephants which involves “a rise in the reproductive hormones” and causes “the animal to feel more restless, energetic, aggressive or unpredictable.”

“My father, the guide, was paying attention to his body language just in case the elephant lost his temper,” Kelly said, adding that the massive animal was “not aggressive,” but rather “very curious as to what we are.” He eventually “retreated back to his herd,” she added. Credit: Megan Kelly via Storyful