These photographs show the incredible moment a pet cat chased away a four-tonne elephant that wandered into its garden in central Thailand.

The three-year-old moggy, named Simba, was roused by the jumbo breaking the branches of a tree outside the home in Nakhon Nayok on Tuesday night (November 17). 

However, the ferocious "guard kitty" was not intimidated by the enormous beast - capable of killing humans with one step. 

Astonishing pictures show how the tabby squared up to the wild jumbo, which turned on its heels and fled empty-trunked. 

Residents said the elephant is a 35-year-old "nuisance" named Pai Salick, known for trampling on people's gardens in search of food. 

Local park ranger Amnat Norasin said: ''The elephant lives in the forest but he often walks around the homes at night to look for food. People know who he is.

''The house owner said his cat is aggressive and doesn't like other animals entering his territory.'' 

An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild in Thailand and a similar number in captivity. In the wild, they roam through the deep jungle and in the country's protected national parks. 

However, there is a conflict when they come in contact with humans who also use the area of farming and gathering food.

Elephants are a protected animal in Thailand and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP/332USD).