On a safari, a ғʀɪɢʜᴛᴇɴed elephant barked at guests for food and nearly sent them flying when it reached inside their van. At Yala National Park in Sʀɪ Lᴀɴᴋᴀ, the audacious tusker stuffed his trunk inside a broken-down truck while pleading for food.

From a car in the convoy behind, photographer Sidath Wanaguru recorded the amazing sᴄᴇɴᴇ. Although there are thought to be 6,000 elephants in Sʀɪ Lᴀɴᴋᴀ, their habitats are being ᴅᴇsᴛʀᴏʏed by people, making them a ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛened species.

These travelers were quite unlucky to come meet an Asian elephant because, unlike their African relatives, just about 7% of Asian elephants are thought to have tusks, and in Sʀɪ Lᴀɴᴋᴀ, the number is thought to be significantly lower.

No one was ʜᴜʀᴛ but Mr. Wanaguru stated that the visitors were afraid because of the elephant’s size and because they were unable to flee because of breakdowns. They received more than they anticipated. The tourists watched in horror as the beast protruded its enormous tusks inside the car and searched the interior with its trunk for some good treats. The beast eventually strayed into the jungle.

Leopards, wild water buffalo, macaques, golden palm civets, sloths, and fishing cats can also be found in Yala National Park, where these photos were taken.