Villagers Alarmed as Wild Elephants Invade Village in Omkoi, Chiang Mai

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from villagers.

 

Villagers in Khun Tuen Mai Village, Moo 6, Mae Tuen Subdistrict, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai, are living in fear after two wild elephants were spotted wandering out of the Doi Mon Chong forest, part of the Omkoi National Reserved Forest, and entering their community.

 

Videos captured by locals show the two elephants walking through the area near Kho Pa Temple before heading deeper into the village. Frightened residents kept their distance, worried about the potential danger of being attacked.

 

Naput Worapat Sirisakul, a villager who recorded the incident, described the elephants as two young males. He believes they left the forest in search of food or possibly to mate with domesticated female elephants owned by villagers. According to him, the elephants have been entering the village both day and night for several days, causing sleepless nights for residents who have had to stay alert and warn each other to avoid getting too close.

 

“These elephants have been coming out of Doi Mon Chong almost daily and are likely to continue until around June,” Naput explained. “In the past, wild elephants have injured villagers. We hope authorities will step in to help, as we are currently living in constant fear.”

 

Krin Hirankrailas, head of the Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, revealed that the area is home to wild elephants from multiple groups residing in the Mae Chaem-Mae Tuen National Forest Reserve and the Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, which are connected. It is estimated that about 80 wild elephants live in the sanctuary alone.

 

Krin explained that the elephants’ intrusion into the village could be due to their natural foraging patterns. “Wild elephants tend to follow their habitual foraging routes. If they encounter communities with cultivated crops, they may linger in those areas, as they serve as convenient food sources,” he said.

 

To address concerns about potential attacks, villagers are advised to report sightings to the nearest Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation office. Officials can then investigate and implement preventive measures. In the meantime, villagers are urged to keep their distance from the elephants and use noise-making tools, such as banging on wood, to gently drive them away. They are also encouraged to share updates and warnings within the community to ensure everyone’s safety.

 

-- 2024-12-19

 

 

 

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Truly hope the government idiots don't do something stupid and kill the elephants.

[edwinchester]

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Truly hope the government idiots don't do something stupid and kill the elephants.

It's almost always villagers who kill straying elephants to protect their crops. Electric wires, snares, poison or shooting, take your pick, are the usual methods.

[Hawaiian]

5 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

It's almost always villagers who kill straying elephants to protect their crops. Electric wires, snares, poison or shooting, take your pick, are the usual methods.

I see a similar problem where I live.  It is the protected Hawaiian goose  and imported game birds that invade farms and gardens.  A winery close to home has netting covering their grapevines.  The birds have discovered a way to get under the protective netting and devour the grapes at will.  Farmers are not even allowed to shoo the birds away.