A young elephant calf was caught on camera being tossed through the air by a larger bull elephant in a display that surprised both wildlife guides and tourists alike.
The startling footage in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa shows the calf initially nudged by the bull’s trunk.
Watch the video at the end.
After a few moments, the bull loses patience and lifts the 200-pound baby into the air, dropping it roughly to the side. The baby can be heard trumpeting in alarm as it lands.
The bull briefly helps the calf to its feet but seems dissatisfied, soon shoving the little one further. Eventually, the calf’s mother arrives to ensure her baby is unharmed.
Despite her intervention, the bull persists and continues to harass the young elephant, with later footage showing the calf being pushed aside once more.
The moment was captured by guide Jeni Smithies and photographer Lloyd Carter, who led a group of tourists.
In the background, one observer can be heard expressing surprise, saying they’d “never seen anything like it.”
Some speculate that the bull’s aggressive behavior could be an attempt to assert dominance, particularly if it’s mating season.