Elephant Rampage Kills Monk

[sriracha john]

Elephant Rampage Kills Monk

Several instances of elephants going on rampages have been reported today, with one incident in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and another in Nakhon Ratchasima province ending with the death of a monk.

More than ten elephants in Tablarn National Park in Kornburi District of Nakhon Ratchasima Province attacked two monks who were meditating. The incident killed 34-year-old Phra Nattaporn Kittiyano and seriously injured 34-year-old Phra Wichien Kemmako.

Phra Wichien was sent to Kornburi Hospital and moved to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for treatment. His condition has stabilized but doctors say he suffered injuries to his neck and spine that may result in paralysis.

Phra Wichien said he and his fellow monk met with a group of ten elephants while passing through the forest to meditate. They stepped aside to let the elephants pass but the animals surrounded them, charged at them, kicked them, and broke tree branches to throw at them. He was able to flee and seek help at a nearby monastery.

Tablarn National Park Chief Sitthichai Bannapot said it is mating season for the elephants, causing unusual aggressive behavior. The park has issued warnings to those living in the vicinity to refrain from going into the forest at this time, so as not to come into contact with the 41 elephants in the forest.

In another incident, locals in Promkiri District in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the provincial livestock officer rode motorcycles to follow an elephant on a rampage. The veterinarian was able to shoot a tranquilizer at the elephant, causing it to stop at a pond.

57-year-old Surin Bangsukol, owner of the elephant Kai Heed, said the elephant became restless a couple of days ago as it entered the mating season, so he chained it. However, the elephant broke the chain and ran into the forest before entering the village and hurting two locals, who were subsequently sent for treatment at the hospital

- Thailand Outlook

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The un-notated photos attached above are evidently from the Nakhon Si Thammarat incident.

[Tony Clifton]

There truly is no dog.

[ratcatcher]

There truly is no dog.

Very sad for the monks. Should that read "Beware of the dog!" ?

[Galong]

Well, the way elephants are generally treated in Thailand (see this National Geographic article) I hardly blame them for getting a little revenge from time to time... If these monks were really innocent, then it's sad though.

BTW, I turned in a couple of mahouts at Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary (Phang Nga Province) a couple days ago for killing birds in the sanctuary with slingshots. They looked rather pissed off at me when I showed up with a couple of rangers. I've seen mahouts with slingshots the past three time I went there. I scolded them previously, but I'm going to let the rangers take care of it from now on. I reckon I need to be careful the next time I go there.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Galong

[Tony Clifton]

Saw footage of the elephant shown above.

Both sides of his head clearly had wet streaks from that secretion that runs down their faces and into their mouth when they get horny.

[Johpa]

Well, the way elephants are generally treated in Thailand (see this National Geographic article) I hardly blame them for getting a little revenge from time to time... If these monks were really innocent, then it's sad though.

BTW, I turned in a couple of mahouts at Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary (Phang Nga Province) a couple days ago for killing birds in the sanctuary with slingshots. They looked rather pissed off at me when I showed up with a couple of rangers. I've seen mahouts with slingshots the past three time I went there. I scolded them previously, but I'm going to let the rangers take care of it from now on. I reckon I need to be careful the next time I go there.

Onward Christian soldiers! Mahouts are treated about as well as the elephants, well maybe not that well. They might be lucky to male 2,000 baat per month. Armed with the mighty, and highly accurate slingshot, I am sure they will have the chance to make a significant dent in the bird population as they strive to add an additional morsel of protein into their diet.

But yes, you would possibly need to be very careful the next time you visit. In fact, may I suggest that you not visit, for your own good of course.

[LaoPo]

This was an elephant attack during a safari in Khao Yai National Park:

This one is in Sri Lanka....so dangerous and powerful :

Better be careful...

LaoPo

[seonai]

GAWD - shocking Lao Po

[Galong]

Well, the way elephants are generally treated in Thailand (see this National Geographic article) I hardly blame them for getting a little revenge from time to time... If these monks were really innocent, then it's sad though.

BTW, I turned in a couple of mahouts at Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary (Phang Nga Province) a couple days ago for killing birds in the sanctuary with slingshots. They looked rather pissed off at me when I showed up with a couple of rangers. I've seen mahouts with slingshots the past three time I went there. I scolded them previously, but I'm going to let the rangers take care of it from now on. I reckon I need to be careful the next time I go there.

Onward Christian soldiers! Mahouts are treated about as well as the elephants, well maybe not that well. They might be lucky to male 2,000 baat per month. Armed with the mighty, and highly accurate slingshot, I am sure they will have the chance to make a significant dent in the bird population as they strive to add an additional morsel of protein into their diet.

But yes, you would possibly need to be very careful the next time you visit. In fact, may I suggest that you not visit, for your own good of course.

So you see nothing wrong with killing protected wildlife in one of the last remaining parks that have the species available in this small area just because these guys want to kill them for food? Furthermore, how do you know they are killing them for food? Are you sure they're not killing them just for fun? What are you doing to help mahouts get out of this poor impoverished state? I suppose it's OK in your eyes for them to beat these noble beast too, eh?

I'm about as UN-Christian as they come, so you're really off base there.

I'll go back there as often as I wish thank you. I speak up for what's right and the park officials thanked me for informing them. I'll tell the rangers again if I see the mahouts breaking the Thai laws in this park.

But I'm sure you don't agree and these 'poor' mahouts should be able to kill animals in a wildlife sanctuary... because they're too poor to afford food... what a load. There aren't any starving mahouts in this country. There are plenty of poor people, but they don't need to kill birds for food.

[Mosha]

I saw something that said at least one person working with elephants was killed by them every year.

[geriatrickid]

Armed with the mighty, and highly accurate slingshot, I am sure they will have the chance to make a significant dent in the bird population as they strive to add an additional morsel of protein into their diet.

But yes, you would possibly need to be very careful the next time you visit. In fact, may I suggest that you not visit, for your own good of course.

I thank Galong for having the courage and decency to do the right thing and act to protect Thailand's heritage. Those harmless slingshots as you describe them inflict painful and gruuesome injuries, usually maiming 3 birds for everyone they manage to bring down. Basically, 3 birds are injured, blinded or lost to harvest 1 bird that does not even provide nourishment. Most of the birds killed are taken for feathers or to be stuffed and then sold to people as souvenirs.

BTW, you do realize that those birds are a vital component in keeping lizard and insect populations in check right? When Mao released his kill the birds campaign there was a resultant spike in vermin and other insect pests that cut into the food harvests. There are alot of Thais and farangs that work hard to maintain those bird populations and are grateful for the sounds of the forest and the natural beauty they bring. Thailand has few nature preserves protected from humans. We owe it to the next generation to leave them something of historic and natural value. I know alot of Thais of humble means that would have thanked Galong for being a responsible human. In the meantime, I'll just be appreciative that there are people like him around to do the right thing and to make a difference.

[LaoPo]

Armed with the mighty, and highly accurate slingshot, I am sure they will have the chance to make a significant dent in the bird population as they strive to add an additional morsel of protein into their diet.

But yes, you would possibly need to be very careful the next time you visit. In fact, may I suggest that you not visit, for your own good of course.

I thank Galong for having the courage and decency to do the right thing and act to protect Thailand's heritage. Those harmless slingshots as you describe them inflict painful and gruuesome injuries, usually maiming 3 birds for everyone they manage to bring down. Basically, 3 birds are injured, blinded or lost to harvest 1 bird that does not even provide nourishment. Most of the birds killed are taken for feathers or to be stuffed and then sold to people as souvenirs.

BTW, you do realize that those birds are a vital component in keeping lizard and insect populations in check right? When Mao released his kill the birds campaign there was a resultant spike in vermin and other insect pests that cut into the food harvests. There are alot of Thais and farangs that work hard to maintain those bird populations and are grateful for the sounds of the forest and the natural beauty they bring. Thailand has few nature preserves protected from humans. We owe it to the next generation to leave them something of historic and natural value. I know alot of Thais of humble means that would have thanked Galong for being a responsible human. In the meantime, I'll just be appreciative that there are people like him around to do the right thing and to make a difference.

With all respect for bird life, but this topic is about elephants killing/hurting people...not about people killing/hurting animals...

LaoPo

[Scott]

I love these animals and find them amazing and beautiful, but I treat them with the utmost respect and prefer to see them from a very safe distance--and that means I am looking through binoculars!

[Galong]

I love these animals and find them amazing and beautiful, but I treat them with the utmost respect and prefer to see them from a very safe distance--and that means I am looking through binoculars!

You're right Scott. These are amazing animals, but they are 'potentially' dangerous... unusually though that's only when it's breeding time. Under normal circumstances the elephants avoid humans as we have such a bad reputation for hurting them.

And, thanks geriatrickid for your kind words of encouragement. I'll continue to help where I can. I forgot to point out that there is a huge pile of empty Sang Som bottles under the mahout sala, so I don't think they're hurting for money. Sorry to sort of hijack this thread with my birdies stuff.

Edited February 22, 2008 by Galong

[John K]

I hope we don’t see any elephants in Bangkok until the mating season is over if it can cause outbursts like this. I hope their handlers are smart enough to realize an angry elephant charging down lower Sukhumvit does not do much for the tourist trade in Thailand. By the way when is the mating season over?

Edited February 22, 2008 by John K

[sayitaintso]

Well, the way elephants are generally treated in Thailand (see this National Geographic article) I hardly blame them for getting a little revenge from time to time... If these monks were really innocent, then it's sad though.

BTW, I turned in a couple of mahouts at Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary (Phang Nga Province) a couple days ago for killing birds in the sanctuary with slingshots. They looked rather pissed off at me when I showed up with a couple of rangers. I've seen mahouts with slingshots the past three time I went there. I scolded them previously, but I'm going to let the rangers take care of it from now on. I reckon I need to be careful the next time I go there.

i guess they need to respect your authori-thai

[peter991]

Elephants do not have any specific mating season.

Peter

[sylviex]

I was curious about the "mating season".

According to MSN Encarta,

"There is no breeding season for elephants—mating occurs throughout the year."

Other sources said the same.

Does anyone know more about this ?

[sylviex]

Oops - missed peter's link above .

[Galong]

i guess they need to respect your authori-thai

:D I love it when folks get my avatar!

[Payboy]

They stepped aside to let the elephants pass but the animals surrounded them, charged at them, kicked them

also known to happen in bangkok's pubs & discotheques...

[slapout]

elephant mating season: whereever, whenever and however long, MR elephant, whats.

[Briggsy]

Well done Galong. I grassed up a bloke hunting birds with a large rifle in Huay Nam Dang National Park in Chiang Mai. Dunno if the rangers took any notice though. National Parks are clearly non-hunting areas by law and not by mood or any other lame excuse.

[seonai]

I wonder if the full moon that night had anything to do with the elephants mood ...

[pickel]

I wonder if the full moon that night had anything to do with the elephants mood ...

Is it possible that it coincided with the earthquake in Indonesia?

[Galong]

Well done Galong. I grassed up a bloke hunting birds with a large rifle in Huay Nam Dang National Park in Chiang Mai. Dunno if the rangers took any notice though. National Parks are clearly non-hunting areas by law and not by mood or any other lame excuse.

Nice to hear mine is not a solo operation, brother.

There are elephants (since this is an elephant thread) that certainly don't look too happy either. Ah, dreams of letting them go dance in my head.

[sunreader]

Well, the way elephants are generally treated in Thailand (see this National Geographic article) I hardly blame them for getting a little revenge from time to time... If these monks were really innocent, then it's sad though.

BTW, I turned in a couple of mahouts at Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary (Phang Nga Province) a couple days ago for killing birds in the sanctuary with slingshots. They looked rather pissed off at me when I showed up with a couple of rangers. I've seen mahouts with slingshots the past three time I went there. I scolded them previously, but I'm going to let the rangers take care of it from now on. I reckon I need to be careful the next time I go there.

Good! well done!

Personally I don't blame the elephants, they are doing nothing many human lads don't do, elephant lads day out, pumped up on testosterone, looking for some action on ElephaNana Plaza, finding none so cause a bit of agro instead, job done, I bet they had a laugh together about it all afterwards.

These are wild animals.

"wild? I was furious!" (thinks back to NTNN)

I do feel sorry for the Monks though.

[Johpa]

Well done Galong. I grassed up a bloke hunting birds with a large rifle in Huay Nam Dang National Park in Chiang Mai. Dunno if the rangers took any notice though. National Parks are clearly non-hunting areas by law and not by mood or any other lame excuse.

Well this does get at the heart of the conundrum when there are indigenous forest folks living about who also happen to be, for the most part, disenfranchised minorities. And such folks make up a significant part of the mahouts up north. They also tend to be the mahouts imported down south to manage the pachyderms brought down south for the tourist trade, often hapless Burmese, thus doubly disenfranchised.

The elephants do cause a fatality every year or so. There have been a few tourists fatally injured by elephants, usually after doing something really stupid like pulling out a tail hair and then having the elephant blindly kick backwards. There was an abusive mahout killed up near Mae Tang years ago, but contrary to some here, most mahouts are not abusive. There was little sympathy in the elephant community for the abusive mahout who died and there was no consequences for that elephant's owner. And about 20 years ago there was another monk killed in a National park by a rampaging elephant. There was a poignant photo of that event that appeared in the newspapers showing the monk moments before his death holding up his right hand just before impact so to speak.

As for my own mahouts over the 20 years I owned an elephant, we paid then above average salaries and gave them additional bonuses. We had them over for dinner and hosted their visiting family members. And yes, mahouts tend to drink, mostly lao khao, as their lives are hard and rather isolated. But then again, similar jobs in the western world that are hard and isolated, like logging and fishing, are also renowned for some hard drinking practitioners.

By the way, my home in Thailand is within a National Forest in a village that was grandfathered in after the creation of the park boundaries. We have had many elephants in residence in the tambon for decades without any incident. And there are still unresolved issues relative to the rights of the indigenous folks to harvest the forest. Funny how poor villagers will be taken off to jail for felling a single tree yet former prime ministers and the like are able to build teak log homes.

And lastly, my "onward Christian soldier" remark was somewhat metaphorical and I don't really care what religious persuasion is held by Khun Galong.

[katana]

The elephants could well have been in musth, a hormonal change when they become unpredictable and dangerous:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant#Musth.

[brianwl]

Interesting reading.

Musth: When a male elephant reaches the age of 20, he starts to come into a phase known as musth which prepares him for the intense competition for females and mating rights. Musth is a Hindi word meaning intoxicated. When a male elephant comes into musth, his level of testosterone (a principal male sex hormone) will rise dramatically by a factor of twenty or more. It is physiologically and mentally an uncomfortable time for the male elephant and typically they will display aggressive behavior. Musth might last up to 60 days as they wander looking for females in estrus. During this time the bull will dramatically reduce his food intake and burn up much of his fat reserves. The temporal gland between the eyes and ears swell and discharge a viscous aromatic secretion. Along with the dribbling of urine that contains soluble pheromones, it signals other elephants of his state. Interestingly, African elephants experience a less pronounced form of musth and at an older age, than their Asian cousins.

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/indian_elephant.htm