A male elephant named Plai Biang Lek made headlines this week after a surprising and amusing incident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The elephant, known for his curious nature, ventured out of the nearby Khao Yai National Park on Monday in search of food, resulting in a comical scene at a local grocery store.

Videos capturing the event show the hefty Plai Biang Lek making his way to the shop, which is conveniently located next to a main road adjacent to the national park. Without hesitation, the massive creature ducked his body inside the shop, immediately attracting the attention of startled onlookers. Surprisingly, he appeared unfazed by the presence of the national park workers who attempted to coax him outside.

As the shop owner, Kamploy Kakaew, recounted later, the elephant paused at the counter, casually snatching snacks from the shelves. His feast included about nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich, and some dried bananas that Kamploy had just purchased that very morning. Despite the unexpected intrusion, the owner found humor in the situation, laughing as she shared the details of her unusual visitor.

After satisfying his appetite, Plai Biang Lek calmly exited the grocery store, holding one of the snack bags tightly in his trunk. Remarkably, he left minimal damage behind, aside from a few muddy footprints on the floor and some marks on the ceiling, a testament to his gentle demeanor despite his size.

According to Danai Sookkanthachat, a volunteer park worker who knows the elephant well, Plai Biang Lek is about 30 years old and is quite familiar to locals. He has been spotted wandering into homes in search of food before, but this marked the first time that he had decided to explore a grocery store. “After he left the shop, he went on to open a bedroom window of another house,” Danai shared with The Associated Press, indicating that this adventurous elephant is no stranger to urban exploration.

Danai explained that wild elephants in the Khao Yai National Park area have a long history of venturing into human habitats to scavenge for food. However, this year has seen an increase in their boldness as they explore even more random locations outside their natural environment. The ongoing encroachment of agricultural activities into their habitats has resulted in elephants searching further afield for sustenance, leading to potential conflicts that can sometimes turn dangerous.

As of 2024, Thailand is estimated to be home to around 4,000 wild elephants, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. This growing interaction between elephants and human settlements serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by wildlife as their natural environments continue to shrink.