Elephants are some of Earth’s most incredible animals. Although we generally think of these enormous creatures as generally tranquil and calm, they still weigh more than 13,000 pounds. If we’re typically used to seeing these animals only in nature videos or in the zoo, seeing these animals in the wild is entirely different. Though we think of elephants as slow-moving, they are more than capable of charging their enemies if threatened.
That’s exactly what one video spreading around the internet has proven.
Alan McSmith is a conservationist and a safari tour guide who was out in the African wilderness.
McSmith has more than 30 years’ experience in his field and often takes groups out on safari in various different circumstances. Because he has so much experience with animals and the outdoors, these tours usually go off without a hitch. Still, exploring the wilderness always comes with some inherent risk. On one tour in particular, McSmith and his cameraman came across a wild elephant and locked eyes.
McSmith freezes as the elephant turns to face him—but then the elephant starts to charge.
Steeling his nerves, McSmith squares up against the elephant and tries to stay calm.
Needless to say, his heart was probably going a mile a minute. After all, there’s not much that can stand in the way of an angry elephant who is determined to charge you. Still, McSmith holds his ground and continues making eye contact with the animal, which is standing approximately 20 feet away from him. The two hold the position for a moment and as the elephant starts to make its way forward again, McSmith twirls his walking stick as if it were a weapon—a warning for the elephant to stop.
McSmith even advances a few steps toward the elephant to show he’s not afraid.
The two hold their ground for an impossibly long time.
After a moment, the elephant starts to turn away—but then it turns and charges again. No matter how terrifying it is, McSmith again stands his ground against the huge animal, brandishing his stick calmly and walking firmly towards the elephant. After this second show of confidence, the elephant finally starts walking cautiously backward and McSmith turns back on the trail, having successfully avoided an encounter.
Although his courage is incredible, McSmith was quick to warn viewers not to do as he did.
In the comments area of the video, McSmith left his viewers a firm explanation:
“Dear all,
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my seminal elephant encounter video and it would be great to respond by sharing the story behind it.
The video, filmed on a wilderness trail, is a one-in-a-million encounter. It is authentic and the elephant is wild, not trained. Neither are there any AK47s, snipers or nuclear warheads behind me.
As a wilderness guide I strive to avoid confrontations with wild animals, and in 30 years of guiding, have never deliberately provoked one. The default reaction of wild animals, including big game, is to avoid encounters with humans.
However, the reality is that things do not always go according to the book . . . With all the hindsight in the world, would not have done anything differently. I did not get myself into a situation, I got myself and our trail party out of one. How evenly the bull walks away at the end, comfortable enough to turn his back on us, is a testament to this.
I would NEVER suggest that anyone tries this! If you are a guide then I urge you to use extreme caution whilst walking . . . Therefore I urge you all to look beyond and recognize the significance of meaningful wilderness encounters. That modern man still shares a kinship with the wild. That our natural world … and its conservation … is absolutely essential to our well-being.
That in order to maintain our own respect and dignity, we must treat our environment in the same way.
My message is about a transformative view of elephant awareness.
And wilderness conservation. It is time to view these animals through a different lens, a lens that also incorporates our own wholeness and sacred attitudes.
The encounter was after all about the elephant, not me.”
Check out Alan’s site for more information on his adventures!
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