This is the moment a herd of wild elephants munched on crops in eastern Cambodia.

The group of jumbos, including a young calf, walked into Trapeang Phear village in Mondulkiri province on November 28 and destroyed some of the locals’ crops.

Witnesses said the herd came from a neighbouring village after roaming around for three to four days. The elephants were last spotted at a rubber plantation near Trapeang Phear.

The wild animals displayed aggressive behaviour and scared residents as humans are now occupying their former habitat.

Neth Pheaktra, Cambodia Environment Ministry spokesman, told local media: ‘It is not the first time that this kind of incident happened in Keo Seima district. Every year in the same season, a number of elephants always come to the same area to find food and water. If it is occupied by humans, the same incident happens.’

He also warned locals not to interact with the large animals.

Meanwhile, provincial environment department director Keo Sopheak said rangers and local police are now coordinating to monitor the elephants’ movements.

The Asian elephant is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.