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Heavily-pregnant elephant blocks traffic with hour-long snooze

Vets said that such displays often precede giving birth.

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Pregnant elephant blocks road while it has a rest. ( Kennedy News and Media via SWNS)

By David Adamson via SWNS

A heavily-pregnant elephant was caught on camera causing a jumbo roadblock by taking an hour-long NAP in the middle of the road.

The mom-to-be lumbered towards cars with her ears fanned out as if demanding motorists back off before sinking to the tarmac to rest her pregnant belly.

After enjoying her snooze, the expectant mammal lurched to her feet and plodded off the road and back into the lush grass, freeing up the road for drivers to pass by.

The striking snaps were captured by vacationer Karin Van Zyl on the H4-1 road near Lower Sabie when returning from a day's sight-seeing in Kruger National Park in South Africa on June 21st.

Pregnant elephant blocks road while it has a rest. ( Kennedy News and Media via SWNS)
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Karin, from Pretoria, South Africa, said: "From where we were stood we saw an elephant charging one of the cars.

"We know young elephant bulls do that but this ellie's [elephant's] behavior was very strange.

"We felt sad and sorry for it because we didn't know if it was in pain or what the problem was.

"I felt concerned when I saw it lying at the side of the road and struggling to get back on its feet again - it looked as if it was in pain.

"One of the cars in front took a video and was advised by the veterinary services that this elephant was in fact a 'she' and not a 'he.'

Pregnant elephant blocks road while it has a rest. ( Kennedy News and Media via SWNS)

"They said she was pregnant and that such displays often precede giving birth.

"We all felt better because we didn't know what was causing that strange behavior."'

The 49-year-old homemaker, who was out with their daughter, Nelmarie, mom, Nellie Louw and sister, Liana Bester, said they kept their distance and after an hour's wait they finally were able to drive past.

Karin said: "I've seen a lot of elephants before and I'm always amazed by them, but we keep our distance.

"They are gentle giants and we must respect them.

"Nature can sometimes be cruel but that is nature - we must respect it even though it's not always nice to see.

"That's why I love to photograph wildlife - there's always something interesting to see."

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