Busty and chaotic! Two 6-ton bull elephants pound trees as they fight for supremacy in a South African national park’s heavyweight contest.

  • South Africa: Two bull elephants clashed within 40 meters of tourists
  • As they flattened trees around them, the majestic animals trotted about. 
  • Tour guide Chris Bates captured stunning video of the havoc-wreaking fight 










Here’s the amazing moment when two bull elephants of six tons clashed just yards from a walking tour.

These mighty beasts piled up trees while they trotted around on their feet and wrestled with each other’s trunks. 

Chris Bates, a South African tour guide, filmed an incredible clash of the trails while on Kruger National Park’s Kruger National Park Tour. 

The amazing footage shows two elephants trumpeting to each other before their titanic tusks crashed together head on.

As the fight continued, branches fell into the savannah dust. The larger bull emerged victorious.

42 year old Mr. Bates stated that it was amazing to see two large bulls fight for supremacy.

The two bull elephants fight, clashing tusks, as they stomp around Kruger National Park in South Africa

Two bull elephants clash as they tromp through Kruger National Park, South Africa.

“The size and beauty of these amazing creatures is incredible. We estimated that they weighed around six tons each.

“I have been a guide for 4 years, and had never witnessed an elephant fight live. This was quite a spectacle.

“Listening as these great giants battle for their breeding rights, the sound of trees snapping and the tusks clashing is something that I’ll remember forever.

“The battle lasted approximately 10 minutes, each elephant taking turns to take on the other.

The two animals face off as they flatten the trees around the scenery, kicking up dust

They face each other as they kick up dust and flatten trees in the vicinity. 

The pair of six-ton creatures trumpet to each other before clashing head-on just yards away from a walking tour

These two six-ton beasts roar to one another before falling head-on yards away from each other during a walking tour 

“Ultimately, the larger bull won and chased off the other.

Mr Bates, from Johannesburg, South Africa, was leading a group of trainee guides on July 26 when the fight broke out in front of them.

He stated that, while guides were calm and explained animal behavior to trainees, the rifle was removed at one point “just in case”.

He added: ‘We were concerned at one point, as we were standing in camp. He was concerned that the elephant might be too close to his guide, so he got his rifle.

“The rifle was used to shoot a shot in the ground to warn the elephants of our presence, and get them away.

Chris Bates, pictured, filmed the incredible clash on the trail just over 40 yards in front of them

Chris Bates (pictured) filmed the amazing clash of the two groups on the trail, just 40 meters in front.

“As guides we don’t want to fire the rifles but rather watch nature do what she does. Let nature be.

“The aim of nature walks is not to be seen, but to extract the animals from a position that allows them to see and observe.

Bates stated in a Facebook posting that the aggressive behavior of animals was probably due to their high testosterone levels.

He explained that while elephants can be peaceful in general, when it comes to mating rights they sometimes get into an emotional state.

This state can increase their testosterone levels 60x more than normal and cause increased aggression.

“Each elephant can be heard crashing into the other’s trunks at times.”

Mr Bates has been running his safari company since 2017, arranging private photography trails and day trips after falling in love with the area while on family holidays.

He said, “I loved my Bushveld holidays, Kruger National Park in particular.” 

“It is a joy to live in the wilderness and be able to help others interpret it. 

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