BOTSWANA — A terrifying safari experience turned into chaos when a protective mother elephant charged a group of tourists after their canoe tour drifted too close to her calves.

Dramatic video footage shows the massive animal storming through the water, flipping canoes and sending panicked tourists into the river. One woman was trampled and briefly held underwater by the elephant’s trunk before the animal finally retreated to rejoin its herd.

Miraculously, the woman survived the ordeal without serious injuries, though the shocking encounter underscores the unpredictable danger of approaching wild animals in their natural habitat.

Wildlife experts caution that elephants are highly protective of their young and can become aggressive if they perceive any threat. Safari operators are reminding tourists to maintain a safe distance from herds to avoid provoking potentially deadly confrontations.