My uncle instantly ran over and pried the snare off the elephant and freeing it.

The elephant looked at my uncle before raising its foot and lifting its trunk in the air as a sign of gratitude before it walked away.

My uncle never forgot that moment and proudly told anyone who would listen.

Last week, we were all on a family holiday in another city and decided to have a day out at the zoo.

When we got to the elephant enclosure, my uncle froze.

An elephant looked at him through the glass before raising its foot and lifting its trunk in the air.

My uncle became ecstatic and, without another word, quickly climbed over the walls of the enclosure to reunite with the animal.

They stood face to face briefly, the elephant maintaining its pose as my uncle wept tears of joy.

Then, without warning, the elephant picked my uncle up with its trunk and hurled him in the air multiple times before throwing him against the wall, killing him instantly.

Guess it wasn't the same elephant.