Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

A wild elephant known as “Chao Nga Diao” (One-Tusk) was successfully rescued after being found with a snare trap tightly wound around its trunk, causing severe swelling and distress. Veterinarians and park rangers worked through the night to free the animal.

 

On 24 March, wildlife officials from Khao Yai National Park’s Khon 13 (Nang Rong) unit, along with veterinarians from Protected Area Regional Office 1 (Prachinburi) and a disaster response team, launched a mission to locate and rescue Chao Nga Diao. The operation was initiated after a local resident captured footage of the elephant crossing a road in Sarika Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Nayok on 22 March, revealing an apparent swelling on its trunk caused by a constricting object.

 

 

With thermal drones deployed to aid the search, the team focused on an area near a private golf course adjacent to the national park, a known habitat for wild elephants.

 

At approximately 00:30 on 24 March, Chao Nga Diao was sighted. Rescuers carefully guided the elephant to a safe location, where it was sedated to allow for the removal of the snare, a thick, 90-centimetre-long metal wire looped tightly around its trunk. The operation was completed by 04:00.

Veterinarians administered drugs to help awaken the elephant, closely monitoring its condition to ensure it could walk normally before withdrawing from the area. Officials will continue to track Chao Nga Diao to assess its recovery and prevent further injuries.

 

Wildlife authorities are investigating the source of the snare, which is believed to have been set for illegal poaching or trapping.

 

 

-- 2025-03-25

 

I hate poachers.