This is the terrifying moment a herd of wild elephants ventured out of the jungle while the area was quieter because of the pandemic then ransacked a house in search of food.

A dozen jumbos stomped into the garden as the owner cowered inside in in Bueng Kan, northeastern Thailand on Tuesday afternoon (May 19).

Officials said that increasing numbers of elephants were venturing out of the jungle to nearby homes because fewer tourists were clogging up roads and parks.

Footage shows the brazen herd stuffing their trunks with fruit before trudging back up the mountain when they were full.

Wildlife rangers aid that several villagers had complained that their properties were damaged by elephants this week as the creatures become increasingly confident.

Chief forestry officer Taweep Khampaengmueng said staff will visit the homes to evaluate the damage and will offer help.

He said: "The elephants are coming down the mountain more often than before because the area has been clearer since the tourists are absent due to the pandemic.

"The situation is good for the wild animals and nature but people who live here should be more aware and careful or else they could be injured if they get in the way of the elephants.''

Taweep added that recently there were more elephants venturing into the villages in search of food and he warned locals to be careful.

He said: "We have surveyed the area and found that some fruit groves were damaged by the elephants but fortunately there have been no human casualties.

"We will visit them again to evaluate the damage before we offer financial help to them."