In a tragic turn of events near Hua Hin, a mature male elephant, aged between 20 to 25 years and weighing approximately 2 tonnes, was found deceased in the waters of Huai Sat Yai. This grim discovery has brought a wave of concern to the local community and wildlife authorities in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The report of the dead elephant was made by Sarawut Luangprabang, a 51-year-old palm plantation owner, who stumbled upon the carcass near his plantation in Ban Fa Prathan, Pa La-U, on Sunday, February 18. The area is in close proximity to the Kaeng Krachan National Park, a known habitat for local wildlife and a point of interest for both residents and visitors of Hua Hin.
Deputy Inspector Police Lieutenant Colonel Somphot Prayangam of the Nong Plub Police Station in Hua Hin led the initial response to the incident. The seriousness of the situation necessitated the involvement of Somjet Chantan, Director of the Conservation Area Administration Office 3 (Phetchaburi Branch). A team comprising veterinarians, border patrol police, and other wildlife experts was quickly assembled to investigate the cause of death.
Upon examination, the elephant was found to have sustained severe injuries, including a significant gash on its abdomen and another beneath its left ear. These injuries are indicative of a violent encounter, likely with another elephant, suggesting a territorial dispute or a clash within a herd, common behaviors in the wild but rarely witnessed in such close proximity to human settlements.
The initial assessment by the team points to a fatal altercation as the cause of death, possibly exacerbated by an ensuing infection. The elephant's final resting place in the stream where it was found highlights the sometimes unseen interactions between wildlife in the region.