Six elephants escape South Africa's Kruger National Park

Six elephants have escaped a renowned South African park through a river on Wednesday, Sept. 4, the park said as it struggled to get the giant animals to return.  

Ike Phaahla, a spokesman for South African National Parks (SANparks), confirmed that the animals escaped from Kruger National Park, a tourist magnet bordering Mozambique.

The elephants left "through the river as the water is low at this time of the year," he told AFP. 

The park initially tried to drive the elephants back using a helicopter, but a large crowd of community members blocked the animals from returning, he said.

As a result, the situation "turned dangerous," Phaahla said, adding that law enforcement officials had been alerted for assistance. 

"As soon as the situation is under control, they will attempt again to get the elephants back into the park," he said.  

Elephants that have escaped protected parks and reserves in Africa have at times been slaughtered by residents for their meat. (AFP)