This dramatic footage shows the intense fight between two raging elephants as they battle it out for dominance.
A group out on safari got more than they bargained for when they stumbled across the brutal fight – leaving the elephants bloodied and battered, with one even losing half a tusk.
With tusks clashing and feet stomping the elephants crashed out of the bush and into a open space as they circled each other.
Tussle: Dramatic images capture the moment two elephants went head-to-head as they battled it out for dominance in Delta
Battle: Sand billows up from the ground as they animals clash and stomp their feet in the brutal fight in front of a group of tourists
Rivals: The dramatic scenes were caught on camera by tourist Kathryn Bakken, from Los Angeles, when she was on safari during a holiday to Botswana
The dramatic scenes were caught on camera by tourist Kathryn Bakken, from Los Angeles, when she was on safari during a holiday to Botswana with her husband Chad.
The brutal fight took place in Duba Plains, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, in early November.
Kathryn, who works in entertainment advertising, said: ‘The elephants would clash for a few minutes, back off and then perform some dominance displays – such as feinting a charge or pushing
into bushes and trees to show how strong they were.
‘They did this dance for over an hour – we were told by our guide that it could go on all day, and sometimes ends in death.
‘When we saw them fighting we were in complete awe.’
Kathryn said the only time she was frightened of the animals was when one of the elephants broke away and headed towards the jeep.
She said: ‘He obviously decided we weren’t worth his time though, and the elephants continued fighting.
‘There was a real sense of danger when the elephants got close.
Prepare for battle: The animals circle each other as they prepare to fight after crashing out of nearby bushes into an open space
Injured: The elephants were left bloodied and battered following the fight last month. One animal was pictured with blood on his tusk
Bloodied: The brutal fight, which took place in Duba Plains, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, left one elephant with blood on his tusks
‘It is a humbling experience to be so close to two animals, as big as houses, slamming around next to you.
‘The elephants were definitely hurt – as evidenced by blood streaming down their faces.’
Kathryn said despite it being exhilarating to watch she also said it was sad to watch.
‘I didn’t want to see anyone die, especially something as rare and beautiful as an African elephant.
‘But it was natural behaviour, and not something horrible like hunting or poaching, so you try to come to terms with the brutality of nature.
‘Seeing rare animals like elephants in the wild is a humbling experience – from the relative safety of a jeep, you can connect with and observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
‘I love animals, photography and travel – going to Africa was a way to combine all of these interests in a perfect way.’
