The four vehicles pulled over to let the male elephant pass, easily recognisable because of its stubby tail and appearing to be in musth, as park officials tried to guide it back into the forest. Bull elephants in musth that are primed for sexual activity tend to be very aggressive.

The elephant walked by the cars while passengers recorded the encounter on smartphone cameras.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday morning, did not lead to any injuries although the elephant reportedly buffeted the rear of the last pickup truck, which carried two people in the truck’s bed, before it disappeared into the forest.