Actually these mock charges the rangers are used to and elephants do it from time to time. They can tell from the body language if they are serious or mocking. Ears out head up - mock charge. If there ears are back and their head is down then the ranger reverses immediately. I have been in a mock charge numerous times and now quite used to the event but it is a really exciting the first time. The ranger was telling us all along not to worry the elephants was doing a mock charge. He had to calm the guests down more than the elephant and handled it very well with us all.