Watch: Hilarious Baby Elephant Mistakes Car for Lunch — and the Internet Can’t Stop Laughing

A playful 5-month-old elephant named Tharin gave visitors a laugh when he tried to snack on a red sedan parked at Patara Elephant Farm in northern Thailand.

The young elephant was roaming the grounds on June 13, 2024, when he spotted the shiny vehicle and couldn’t resist checking it out — using his trunk to sniff around the hood and even opening his mouth as if to take a bite. Despite gentle attempts by his caretaker to stop him, Tharin was far too fascinated by the mysterious machine to listen.

“He was like a little boy but didn’t know what they’re for,” said caretaker Toonnie Danaya. “Tharin loved to hang out near cars.”

Heartwarming and hilarious footage shows Tharin licking different parts of the car and circling it like it was a curious new toy — or lunch. While he didn’t manage to take a bite, he certainly left a lasting impression.

Thailand currently has about 3,500 elephants in the wild, a number that has been gradually increasing thanks to conservation efforts. Still, it’s a far cry from the estimated 300,000 wild elephants that roamed the country at the start of the 20th century.

Many elephants today, like Tharin, live in conservation camps such as Patara Elephant Farm. These facilities rescue, rehabilitate and provide sanctuary for elephants, allowing them to roam safely — and occasionally taste-test a car or two.

Watch the video

Slapstick never gets old! Watch the fully remastered Three Stooges comedy shorts from the ‘30s to the ‘50s. Subscribe to GJW+ Premium for nonstop laughs, great drama, and unforgettable documentaries. Support this channel and start watching today.