An embarrassed elephant somehow managed to get it all wrong in a South African game reserve when his love-making exploits were ruined by an untimely bout of diarrhoea.
So shocked by his poorly-timed dung, the embarrassed beast fell backwards, completely ruining the romance.
Quick to his feet again in the hope his mate hadn’t noticed, the poor pachyderm then turned his back, clearly too humiliated for eye contact.
Extending his trunk by way of apology, it swiftly became clear the moment had passed when the frustrated female stormed off, leaving him trailing behind.
The hilarious moment was captured on camera by Quintin van der Merwe, 30, from Hazyview.
A full-time field guide for an elephant tour and safari company, Quintin was taking guests on a tour in Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve when he captured the love-making fail.
‘We had the breeding herd of elephants all around us, and quite close, about 20 metres away,’ he said.
‘I was busy taking a whole bunch of short videos of the action around us, and the herd was very playful, and it just happened that I saw the one elephant trying to mount the other one.
‘I immediately zoomed in, but when the elephant fell over, it was a complete surprise and not something I have ever seen before.
‘The elephant lost his balance as he tried to mount, and fell to the ground. This was very funny to witness, especially once he got up, he seemed so embarrassed.
‘It was a really funny event happening in front of me, but the whole build up to is was amusing, as we spent about 20 minutes viewing a very playful family of elephants.’
Let’s hope the poor guyhas more success next time.
