This is the moment a frightened elephant walks in panic among villagers after it escaped from a national park resulting in it being put down.

The animal escaped from the Kruger National Park (KNP) and entered the village of Matsulu. In the South African province of Mpumalanga, on 10th February.

The footage shows the panicked elephant running through the village, seemingly in search of a way out, as people scramble to get out of its way.

But other people appear to be going after the animal as it slowly walked in the village.

Local media said that villagers had chased after the animal and hit it with objects, which prompted the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) to order the elephant to be put down.

The MTPA’s CEO, Nomcebo Kunene, told local media that the decision was made after a mob had formed around the animal, and the situation became uncontrollable.

Ike Phaahla from the KNP said a helicopter was dispatched for the elephant. To take it back, but as the mob could not be controlled, it had to return to base.

Wild Elephant Admires Its Reflection In Villager’s Outside Mirror

He said: “We then flew back as the situation had gone out of control.

“The MTPA colleagues did their best, but it looks like their efforts were in vain.”

Jacob Siboza, from the Matsulu Community Policing Forum. Told local media that he was told that some community members had started cutting the elephant up after it was killed.

Local media even said they started sharing pieces of its meat to be cooked and eaten.