Injured Wild Elephant ‘Plai Nga Ngam’ Receives Urgent Veterinary Care in Ang Rue Nai

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CH7

 

A team of veterinarians and wildlife conservation officers is working to treat a wild elephant named Plai Nga Ngam, which has been found limping due to a severe foot injury in the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

Mr. Kongkiat Temtamanan, Director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 2 (Sriracha), confirmed that authorities were alerted to the injured elephant by the head of the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary on 25 March. A specialist team was immediately dispatched to locate and assist the distressed animal.

 

Leading the veterinary team was Mr. Sirawit Supanuek, a practising wildlife veterinarian, alongside officials from the Wildlife Rescue Centre 2 (Krabok Khu), the Animal Health Management Division of the regional conservation office, and local authorities from Khlong Takrao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation.

 

The search for the injured elephant began at 13:00 and by 18:00, the team successfully located Plai Nga Ngam. The male elephant, estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old, has a pair of tusks, stands approximately 2 metres tall, and weighs about 3,000 kilograms. It was observed walking with a pronounced limp.

 

Upon closer examination, veterinarians discovered significant swelling and chronic inflammation in the elephant’s right hind foot. The sole of the foot was visibly cracked, with blood and pus seeping from the wound.

 

Due to the elephant’s high stress levels and wary behaviour, the team determined that a close-contact procedure would be too risky. Instead, they opted for a remote treatment approach, administering two anti-inflammatory injections (Meloxicam) and one dose of antibiotics (Ceftiofur) via dart gun at 21:30 and 22:00, respectively.

 

Following the initial treatment, Mr. Kongkiat instructed a rapid-response wildlife monitoring unit to closely observe the elephant’s condition and report any changes. Veterinary teams remain on standby for further intervention if needed.

 

During their operation, officials also identified another injured young wild elephant outside the protected area. The elephant, estimated to be 5 to 6 years old, was found in Khlong Takrao Forest Plantation, Tha Takiap district, Chachoengsao province, suffering from a hind leg injury.

 

Authorities have assigned a monitoring team to track the young elephant’s movements and report its condition to veterinarians. Plans are being made to assess its injury and develop an appropriate treatment strategy.

 

The Protected Areas Regional Office 2 (Sriracha) continues to coordinate efforts to ensure the well-being of both injured elephants and is committed to providing ongoing support and medical care as needed.

 

-- 2025-03-27