This is the terrifying moment a startled homeowner rushes inside to hide when he sees a wild elephant breaking into his yard.

The unexpected intruder was caught on surveillance footage at the property in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, shortly after midnight on November 1.

The video begins with the man stepping outside the front door, holding a tablet, after being alerted that something had broken into his yard.

Although he heard the dogs barking, he initially saw nothing unusual on his device's surveillance feed, so he went outside to investigate. However, upon spotting something in the distance, he quickly retreats inside.

Moments later, a massive elephant appears on the screen and heads straight for the man's front door.

The jumbo pauses momentarily, then knocks over several parked motorbikes, seemingly damaging some as it tramples through the yard.

After a while, it goes into the nearby rubbish bins, knocking down more items as it rummages for food.

It then disappears from view, with only the dogs' barking and a sudden sound of screaming chicken heard in the background before the footage ends.

The owner did not disclose the exact damage caused by the elephant.

Forestry officials later explained that elephants often venture out for food as the weather cools.

They cautioned residents to avoid turning on lights if a bull enters their home. Instead, they should retreat to the second floor or rooftop for safety.

They also advised against storing foods like corn or pumpkins in yards, as these attract elephants.