A circus worker dancing on a dying elephant has emerged in a horrifying video. Authorities have launched an investigation of the incident.

The elephant tries to bathe in a river and drowns while the circus worker dances on its body. You can watch a video of the incident below, but it is very graphic and heart-breaking.

The video is of a 48-year-old elephant, Madi, slowly drowning. There are a whopping 40 minutes of footage. The circus worker dancing on Madi's back was the brother of the circus owner.

Authorities are launching an animal cruelty investigation due to the incident.

Madi was an elephant at Germany's Universal Circus Renz. The elephant was ostensibly taken to the river to be washed and have a bath while the circus was in Estonia.

Rene Renz allegedly danced on Madi's back while the elephant died. The circus was owned by his brother, Daniel Renz.

The elephant, who was very elderly, can be seen stumbling and struggling in the water. But Renz doesn't pay attention or seem to care a whit. He repeatedly jumps on Madi's back to get laughter and attention from onlookers.

Animal rights activists prompted an outcry over the video of the elephant dying while its body is being danced on. An official investigation will be launched, and the Ranz brothers may face criminal prosecution.

Another elephant story made the news last month - but it went the other way around. An elephant trampled an alleged poacher to death as the poacher tried to shoot it.

The horrifying video of the circus worker dancing on the drowning elephant's body can be seen below: