Elephants forced to slide down a mud hill at a theme park caused public outrage.

Footage shows the majestic creatures gliding on the muddy slope so that visitors could see them up close at Chimelong Tourist Resort in Qingyuan, Guangdong, on February 17.

They can be seen using their hind legs to 'slide' down, visibly struggling to navigate the terrain.

Local media reported that the zoo staff blocked off the pathway the animals usually use, leaving them with no choice but to amble and skid on the soil, posing a risk of serious injuries.

Enraged visitors expressed their concern over the well-being of the pachyderms. They also accused the zoo of orchestrating the situation, making people uncomfortable.

The park management responded in light of the issue, saying: 'The elephant mudslide is not an animal performance, but just a display of animal behaviour.

'The slide could be harmful to the animals, and we are making improvements and actively dealing with this matter.'

They also acknowledged that the maltreatment has made many tourists feel very distressed upon seeing the struggling elephants.