2 weeks ago
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THIS is the terrifying moment a three-ton elephant attacked tourists on safari in Sri Lanka.
The not-so gentle giant charged at the sight-seeing minivan, rocking the vehicle and lifting two wheels off the ground.
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The elephant then used its trunk to tear off the door as it stuck its tubular snout into the van seeking more fruit from inside.
A Russian tourist reportedly had offered food to the beast before the frenzied attack.
Two terror-stricken family members fled the Suzuki from the other side fearing for their lives.
Fortunately, the elephant retreated as another tourist vehicle approached sounding its horn.
A warning shot was also heard being fired.
Despite the damage to the rented Suzuki, they were able to drive away afterwards – without the ripped-off door.
Shaken Russian tourist Liliya Mikhailovskaya, 43, said she and her family “almost lost our lives”.
“We were driving up to an elephant, a wild elephant. We will never forget this trip to Sri Lanka,” she said.
“Just a couple of minutes earlier I was recording a video, completely unaware that a sweet feeding moment would turn into such chaos.
“Now that’s another phobia added to the collection.
“Our son ran barefoot along the road, and the car was left without a door.
“An elephant can trample you at any moment. We certainly did not expect an ending like this!”
Miraculously, no-one was injured.
“We don’t want to watch the elephants anymore! Thank you, Lord, we’re alive!
Last week, terrified villagers in eastern India were sleeping on rooftops and in trees after a deadly rogue elephant continued to roam free after killing at least 22 people.
Among the dead are four children, including an eight-month-old baby, as horror footage shows locals running for their lives as the stampeding beast rushes towards them.
Villagers have abandoned makeshift homes, with some seeking refuge on flat rooftops or high in trees as night falls.
The young male elephant – identifiable by a single tusk – remains at large in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, roughly 730 miles east of New Delhi, sparking mass fear across dozens of villages.
The animal is believed to be in musth – a mating phase marked by heightened testosterone, aggression and sexual drive.
Officials say the condition can last up to 20 days.
Indian authorities have mounted a major manhunt, deploying more than 100 forest personnel.
The quest includes at least 80 officers in an effort to track down and tranquillise the elephant before it strikes again.
Aditya Narayan, divisional forest officer for the Chaibasa district, said the animal attacked indiscriminately.
The officer said: “Anyone who came in front of it was trampled.
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