Lilydale District School aid Deb Sulzberger volunteered for two weeks in November at a Zimbabwean conservation reserve, working with the black rhino and elephants, as well as spending time with local schoolkids.

On her last day at the Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation Park, Mrs Sulzberger and her fellow volunteers posed for a group photo.

Unbeknown to the subjects, a large bull elephant wanted to get in on the action.

Photographer Marcus S?adiöderlund was able to capture the magic.  

``It just snuck up on us,'' Mrs Sulzberger said. 

``We'd spent the past two weeks hanging around the elephants, so I guess they just felt comfortable with us.

``It was definitely a shock to turn around and see it there so close.''

Mr S?adiöderlund's picture was picked up by African media and the English tabloids, and shared across social media. 

``I have been totally amazed how it has gone viral,'' she said. 

``My friends in Cape Town had great enjoyment sending my own photo back to me.

``I can't begin to say how many Facebook shares it has had.'' 

 See shots of Deb Sulzberger's incredible African adventure in this week's Sunday Examiner.

Email adruce@examiner.com.au Twitter @AlexDruce1987