Durian Farmer Killed by Wild Elephant in Chumphon

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A durian farmer was killed by a wild elephant in Naamsai Village, Moo 17, Rabror Subdistrict, Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, early morning on 22 February. The victim, identified as 68-year-old Chuan Kanjananarong, was fatally attacked despite warnings from both his wife and local authorities to evacuate the area due to the presence of wild elephants.

 

According to reports from local residents, five wild elephants had entered the village and damaged agricultural crops before one of them turned aggressive and attacked Mr Chuan. Concerned about his farm’s produce, he had chosen to remain at home while instructing his wife to leave for safety.

 

Mr Sumon Kansuwan, a 55-year-old resident, described the growing fear among villagers due to the increasing presence of wild elephants. He explained that around 04:00 to 05:00, villagers spotted the herd near their homes and began evacuating. Unfortunately, Mr Chuan refused to leave, prioritising his crops and property.
 

His lifeless body was discovered at dawn, with the elephant that attacked him still lingering approximately 200 metres away from the scene.

 

Authorities, including forestry officials and local emergency teams, arrived to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the remaining villagers. Due to the ongoing threat, officials advised over ten households to evacuate immediately.

 

Mr Niphon Thongyod, a local administrative officer from Moo 17, confirmed that a monitoring team consisting of village leaders and forestry officials had been tracking the elephants’ movements. They had observed the herd resting around midnight and believed the danger had passed. However, the elephants later returned unexpectedly, leading to the fatal incident.

 

The affected area is part of an extensive forest corridor linking several subdistricts, including Hinkaew, Rabror, Jor Por Ror, and Wang Mai. It serves as a natural habitat for wild elephants, which frequently traverse the region in search of food, often coming into conflict with local communities.

 

With over 100 households in the vicinity, many engaged in durian, palm oil, and rubber farming, concerns over future encounters with wild elephants remain high. Villagers fear not only for their livelihoods but also for their safety as elephant activity continues to escalate.

 

Authorities have pledged to strengthen monitoring efforts and explore measures to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the region.

 

-- 2025-02-23

 

[flyingtlger]

 

37 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The affected area is part of an extensive forest corridor linking several subdistricts....With over 100 households in the vicinity, many engaged in durian, palm oil, and rubber farming,

You can't blame the elephants. This is what happens when modernization encroaches on wild animal habitats.....