On August 16, a tragic incident occurred in Kanchanaburi province when a villager was killed by a wild elephant from the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary. Another individual, a rescue worker, was injured while trying to guide responders to the scene.

 

The victim, identified as 57-year-old Mr. Phatthaya, was attacked while gathering bamboo shoots in the forest near Moo 4, Dan Mae Chalaep subdistrict, Si Sawat district. He had reportedly gone fishing earlier and then ventured into the forest, unaware of the presence of a wild elephant. The elephant attacked him with such force that he died instantly. His body was later found lying amidst bamboo shoots with severe internal injuries.

 

After receiving the report, local authorities, including the sanctuary’s head Mr. Phaitoon Intharabut, coordinated with police, medical staff, and rescue teams. They headed to the site to retrieve the body. During this effort, a rescue worker was also attacked by another wild elephant that had not been noticed. Fortunately, the rescue worker, Mr. Chingchai, survived the encounter and was treated at the hospital for his injuries.

 

The area where the incident occurred is known for its high population of wild elephants, who frequently travel to drink water from the nearby Srinakarin Dam reservoir. However, the attack took place during the day, a time when villagers typically do not expect elephant encounters.

 

This tragic event highlights the dangers of human-elephant conflicts in areas where wildlife and local communities coexist.

 

-- 2024-08-18

 

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Is that all that's left of the worker, just his hat ?

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The elephant attacked him with such force that he died instantly.

 

I wonder how they know this... 🤔

unaware of the presence of a wild elephant. 

 

stealthy little bugger !   blends right in with those trees.  and oh so quiet !

 

On 8/18/2024 at 3:52 AM, Georgealbert said:

The area where the incident occurred is known for its high population of wild elephants, who frequently travel to drink water from the nearby Srinakarin Dam reservoir. However, the attack took place during the day, a time when villagers typically do not expect elephant encounters.

Expect the unexpected...  don't go into the woods.

53 minutes ago, Luuk Chaai said:

unaware of the presence of a wild elephant. 

 

stealthy little bugger !   blends right in with those trees.  and oh so quiet !

 

For a large animal yes they are very quiet...  spook one and find out how fast they can move.

Do you see the owl in the tree?

 People are, day by day, taking over the elephants' traditional grazing and foraging areas. This is leading to an increasing number sad incidents such as this.

4 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

unaware of the presence of a wild elephant. 

 

stealthy little bugger !   blends right in with those trees.  and oh so quiet !

 

 

Get your point but it can easily happen in dense undergrowth.

 

Once I was walking my dog around the jungle track surrounding a country hotel and we ended up less than 10 metres in front of two water buffalos before I clocked them. For some reason, even my dog didn't notice them, which is just as well as she probably would have at least started barking or possibly even charged them. Those things are big up close and to say I retreated gingerly is an understatement. 

Been in my tapioca field too!

 

10 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

unaware of the presence of a wild elephant. 

 

stealthy little bugger !   blends right in with those trees.  and oh so quiet !

 

you have absolutely no idea! You can be a couple of metres from elephants in forest and be completely unaware they are there.

3 hours ago, kwilco said:

you have absolutely no idea! You can be a couple of metres from elephants in forest and be completely unaware they are there.

that would be a serious wake up call ..... I imagine it would be really hard to run with a sudden load in your pants as well