Visitors to a Sri Lankan hotel had to contend with an unexpected guest when a wild elephant took a stroll through the lobby.
The video, which was shared on Twitter, shows the animal moving almost silently through what appears to be the lobby, gently investigating items with its trunk.
The curious elephant nudges over a desk lamp at one point, before casually wandering on.
Comments on the video poured in, with one wit saying: "Now let's talk about the elephant in the room."
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.Others wondered in the animal would give a good review: "2 stars - no grass. do not recommend".
Another comment suggested that the elephant was "looking for the spa, obviously".
"Waiting for the bellboy to step in and ask if he would like help with his trunk," wrote another.
Many people commented on how quietly and gently the large animal moved around the hotel, with one saying: "Bulls in China shops can learn a lot from elephants in Sri Lanka".
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.READ MORE:
• Auckland hotel cleans up in international awards
• Northland hotel room intruder turns out to be ... a kiwi
• High-rise hotel in Takapuna, Auckland, evacuated after laundry fire
• Sylvia Park to get new 15-level hotel/offices, 5000 carparks, more shops, apartments
While the jaw-dropping footage is certainly unusual, it's not unknown for elephants to enter buildings, even hotels.
Video from the Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia went viral in 2013, showing elephants trooping through the hotel's lobby.
The hotel was built on a popular walking track for the elephants, leading straight to a copse of mango trees, and the elephants just continued as they always had.
The elephants regularly make an appearance and the phenomenon has become a major drawcard for the resort.
