Elephant Calf Rescued and Reunited After Pond Plunge in Thailand

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

In a heartwarming turn of events yesterday, a young elephant was successfully rescued and reunited with its mother after a tumble into a pond in Chanthaburi's Pong Nam Ron district. The incident unfolded when the baby elephant, part of a nearby herd, was spotted in distress by officials at the Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

The alert reached the Protected Area Regional Office 2 at 8:30 am, reporting the calf’s precarious situation in Ban Phang Ngon village, located in the Thap Sai subdistrict, around five kilometres from the sanctuary. How the young elephant ended up in the water remains a mystery, with officials keen to understand the circumstances.

A coordinated effort ensued as rangers from the Wang Krabae Forest Protection Unit, joined by personnel from the Khlong Khruea Wai Wildlife Sanctuary, the 544th Marine Ranger Base, a rapid response team, local officials, and elephant monitoring volunteers, sprang into action. Their mission began in earnest at 10 am with a delicate approach, necessitated by the proximity of the watchful herd.

Through a combination of ropes and gentle manoeuvres, the rescue team guided the little elephant out of the pond and back into the sanctuary, where a touching reunion with its mother awaited. Both then made their way back to the forest, leaving behind a scene of relief and celebration.

Local media highlighted the operation's difficulty, with the nearby herd posing a potential risk. Thankfully, all involved emerged unscathed, lending a successful close to a potentially perilous situation. Sanctuary officials lauded the efforts, emphasising the seamless teamwork and compassion displayed throughout the rescue.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-23