This is the adorable moment a wild elephant sneaked inside a back garden and quickly hid behind a tree when the owner approached in Chonburi, Thailand on June 25.

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand. An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild, and a similar number in captivity.

In the wild, they roam through the deep jungle and in the country’s protected national parks but often encounter humans on roads and in villages. However, they are protected by laws and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht.

This is the adorable moment a wild elephant sneaked inside a back garden and quickly hid behind a tree when the owner approached.

Footage shows the baby jumbo wandering around the property looking for food before shying away behind the tree when someone arrived in Chonburi, central Thailand.

House owner Janya Sirijamnan said: ‘It’s very lovely and stayed there for more than an hour before eventually leaving. It did not damage anything and was just looking for something to eat.’

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand. An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild and a similar number in captivity.

In the wild, they roam through the deep jungle and in the country’s protected national parks but often encounter humans on roads and in villages. However, they are protected by laws and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).