Elderly Woman Killed by Wild Elephant in Chanthaburi

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of scene from responders.

 

A 74-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a wild elephant in a durian orchard in Chanthaburi province. Officials from Khao Khitchakut National Park are working to drive the elephant out of the community and are coordinating support for the victim’s family.

 

Kongkiat Temtamnan, director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 2 (Sriracha), reported that at approximately midday on 5 March, volunteer wildlife patrol officers discovered a severely injured woman who had been attacked by an elephant in Moo 7, Chak Thai subdistrict, Khao Khitchakut district. The location is about 17 kilometres from Khao Khitchakut National Park.

 

The victim, identified as 74-year-old Mrs Tid, a durian orchard owner, was found with her face covered in dirt, a severely injured left leg, and elephant footprints nearby. She was rushed her to Khao Khitchakut Hospital before she was transferred to Phra Pok Klao Hospital in Chanthaburi, where she later died. An official autopsy is pending.

 

Chawinthat Pinkaeo, head of Khao Khitchakut National Park, along with national park rangers and rapid-response teams, inspected the scene and confirmed the presence of an elephant in the area after finding 50-centimetre-wide footprints nearby. 

 

Officials are closely monitoring the elephant, which has been spotted in the Phluang subdistrict of Khao Khitchakut district. Measures are being taken to prevent further incidents, with authorities coordinating efforts with local volunteers to drive the elephant away from agricultural and residential areas.

 

In addition, national park officials have reached out to the victim’s family to provide support and ensure they receive all the assistance they are entitled to. The Protected Areas Regional Office 2 (Sriracha) has donated 10,000 baht to the family and sent a wreath in condolence on behalf of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Further support will be provided as needed.

 

Authorities continue to monitor the elephant closely and are working to implement long-term solutions to prevent further conflicts between humans and wildlife in the region.

 

-- 2025-03-07