Get all the very latest news in Ireland straight to your email every single day Sign up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

This is the awkward moment an elephant tried to mate with its partner - before it all went disastrously wrong.

Just as he was about to do the deed the eager elephant must have had a last minute bout of nerves as he unfortunately had a spot of diarrhoea instead.

So shocked by his poorly-timed poo, the embarrassed elephant fell backwards, completely ruining the romantic moment.

Quickly standing up hoping his mate hadn't noticed, the poor pachyderm stood with his back to his mate, clearly too embarrassed to even look them in the eye.

(Image: Caters)

He extended his trunk by way of apology, but he quickly realised there was no chance of salvaging the moment when the frustrated elephant stormed off and left him trailing behind.

The hilarious moment was captured on camera by Quintin van der Merwe from Hazyview, South Africa.

Quintin, 30, a full time field guide for an elephant tour and Safari company was taking guests on a tour in Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve when he captured the funny moment earlier this week.

He said: "We had the breeding herd of elephants all around us, and quite close, about 20 metres away.

(Image: Caters)

"I was busy taking a whole bunch of short videos of the action around us, and the herd was very playful, and it just happened that I saw the one elephant trying to mount the other one.

"I immediately zoomed in, but when the elephant fell over, it was a complete surprise and not something I have ever seen before.

Read more:

"The elephant lost his balance as he tried to mount, and fell to the ground. This was very funny to witness, especially once he got up, he seemed so embarrassed.

"It was a really funny event happening in front of me, but the whole build up to is was amusing, as we spent about 20 minutes viewing a very playful family of elephants."