Nine injured by startled elephant at Chiang Mai Night Safari

[webfact]

Nine injured by startled elephant at Night Safari
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- A STARTLED elephant barrelled into a crowd of tourists at Chiang Mai Night Safari on Saturday, mowing down nine, who were offered lifetime passes and Bt30,000 as compensation.

The 23-year-old pachyderm named Lamduan had participated in the animal parade for the first time.

Four of the injured were in a serious condition and had to stay at the hospital. The other five were allowed to go home.

Sent to Chiang Mai Hospital were Thongyip Eimsawad from Bangkok, Wiyada Sriprapha from Chiang Mai, Chalalai Pingkhum from Chiang Mai, Sermsiriluk Eidsin from Bangkok, Wachira Padungsuk from Bangkok, Kulnaree Pisankul from Chiang Mai, Lalita Malijant from Bangkok, Pramint Phussornyothin from Phayao and Sagunya Yenjit from Chiang Mai.

Thongyip with broken feet and 21 stitches for a cut, while Wiyada had a broken right foot; Chalalai had back pain after falling, and Sermsiriluk, who is five-months pregnant, was being monitored.

Sarawut Srisakul, manager of Chiang Mai Night Safari, visited the patients at the hospital on Saturday. He gave lifetime passes to all nine victims, plus Bt30,000 to three people still in hospital and Bt10,000 to the mother-to-be.

The zoo would cover all medical expenses for the nine, he said.

Zoo staff have already put up barriers and increased the distance between animals and the audience.

They said Lamduan was normally gentle and familiar with people - but may have been panicked by a camera's flash or when a baby lion and tiger joined the parade.

It would take 15 days to investigate the incident. Jumbos have temporarily been banned from the parade and more barriers would be used to keep tourists safe.

Zookeepers also treated the elephant for wounds caused by crashing into a cement barrier, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Nine-injured-by-startled-elephant-at-Night-Safari-30272996.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-16

[craigt3365]

These are wild animals and can not be domesticated. It's dangerous every time they are near humans. Same with tigers.

I wish them a speedy recovery and hopefully they'll pass along the word to others to avoid elephants shows.

[crusader79]

Lifetime passes! I wonder if Cunard offered the same to the Titanic survivors

Edited November 16, 2015 by crusader79

[HooHaa]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

[FolkGuitar]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

[Mudlover]

"It would take 15 days to investigate the incident."

I often wonder about these specific estimates.

[craigt3365]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

About time Thailand implemented the same procedures:

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-zoo-cease-elephant-rides

The Singapore Zoo will no longer offer elephant rides and other activities where elephants are taken out from their exhibits, from Jan 5.

This is part of a new elephant management system being adopted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which enhances the safety for those working with elephants while ensuring proper animal care and welfare.

However, visitors to Singapore Zoo will still be able to enjoy the Elephants at Work and Play show and take part in elephant feeding sessions which happen after each show for now.

Under the new protected contact management system — which is already in place at zoos elsewhere in the world — all staff training and interaction with elephants will be conducted through a physical safety barrier. The system is based on positive reinforcement where animals are motivated by rewards such as food.

[worgeordie]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

Singapore night safari has been open a lot longer ,where do you think

the idea for Chiang Mai Safari came from.

Regards Worgeordie

[khwaibah]

You want to see abusement of elephants just look at the TOT Surin Elephant Festival.http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870025-actual-accurate-dates-for-the-elephant-paradebreakfast/

[jimstar1]

Been there done that and the C M Night Safari is a Dive have not ever spoken to some one that enjoyed it

[roo860]

Wild animals can be a bit "unpredictable", its their nature. Every time there's an incident it's the same old excuses.

[craigt3365]

Wild animals can be a bit "unpredictable", its their nature. Every time there's an incident it's the same old excuses.

It's all about money. Perhaps if the penalty for hurting a customer was 30M Baht, things would change. But at 30k, it's a bit of a slap in the face to those hurt....

[StrandedBusinessPerson]

Horrible. I feel so strongly about the way captive elephants are treated (and the dangers they pose), I help out here in Nepal: https://elephantwatch.wordpress.com/

[StrandedBusinessPerson]

Horrible. That's why I volunteer here: https://elephantwatch.wordpress.com/

[FolkGuitar]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

Singapore night safari has been open a lot longer ,where do you think

the idea for Chiang Mai Safari came from.

Regards Worgeordie

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

[springheeled jack]

it doesnt take much to spook an elephant a friend of mine had a nasty accident about 3 years ago at the same venue when someone spooked the elephant he was riding the elephant took off throwing its mahout [driver] who died on impact my friend broke one foot when the elephant reared up and broke the other foot when he decided to jump off he was offered 35 thousand baht which he took in the long run it turned out to be a very expensive elephant ride the operation had to be done again in the uk.

[hml367]

it doesnt take much to spook an elephant a friend of mine had a nasty accident about 3 years ago at the same venue when someone spooked the elephant he was riding the elephant took off throwing its mahout [driver] who died on impact my friend broke one foot when the elephant reared up and broke the other foot when he decided to jump off he was offered 35 thousand baht which he took in the long run it turned out to be a very expensive elephant ride the operation had to be done again in the uk.

By "the same venue", do you mean Chiang Mai Night Safari?

[springheeled jack]

I think this is a very unsafe venue a friend of mine had a nasty accident riding an elephant the animal was spooked took off threw its driver who was killed on impact my friend sustained 2 broken feet 1 when the elephant reared up broke the other one when he managed to jump off he had all medical expenses paid and 35 thousand baht compensation it turned out to be a vey expensive elephant ride.

[circusman]

I went to that place once. A man lead a full grown tiger on a flimsy leash within only a few meters of people in that parade. I have worked with tigers before and would never dream of doing such a thing.

[FolkGuitar]

You might if the tiger was pumped full of butazalidine.....

[Lupatria]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

Singapore night safari has been open a lot longer ,where do you think

the idea for Chiang Mai Safari came from.

Regards Worgeordie

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

I wish one of these abused creatures will soon sit on your guitar !

Edited November 16, 2015 by Lupatria

[MILT]

These are wild animals and can not be domesticated. It's dangerous every time they are near humans. Same with tigers.

I wish them a speedy recovery and hopefully they'll pass along the word to others to avoid elephants shows.

Can you please provide the source of your claim "These are wild animals and can not be domesticated."

Thanks!

[Sparkles]

It was last year I think when a woman was trampled to death by an elephant in Phuket.

The Chiang Mai Night Safari is there to make money I don't have problem with that concept but its due to the exploitation of animals.That i do have a problem with taking them away from their normal behavourial patterns.Wild animals don't do parades by choice

I remember when the Safari first opened, it was akin to an animal death camp ,dozens died as keepers had no idea of their requitements.

It was well, documented at the time. Animals are easily replacable

[craigt3365]

These are wild animals and can not be domesticated. It's dangerous every time they are near humans. Same with tigers.

I wish them a speedy recovery and hopefully they'll pass along the word to others to avoid elephants shows.

Can you please provide the source of your claim "These are wild animals and can not be domesticated."

Thanks!

Lots of stuff on the web, but here's a few links to start with.

http://journals.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/story/81053/Thailand/Why-Elephant-Riding-Should-Be-Removed-from-Your-Bucket-List

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication

Raised in captivity/captured from wild (in zoos, botanical gardens, or for human gain): These populations are nurtured by humans but (except in zoos) not normally bred under human control. They remain as a group essentially indistinguishable in appearance or behaviour from their wild counterparts. Examples include Asian elephants, animals such as sloth bears and cobras used by showmen in India, and animals such as Asian black bears (farmed for their bile), and zoo animals, kept in captivity as examples of their species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_elephants

Elephants in captivity are in most cases Asian elephants captured in the wild. Selective breeding of elephants is impractical due to their long reproductive cycle, so there are no domestic breeds.

And as we all know, if an elephant is in a show, it's been through the "crush". It's been broken via extremely violent methods to somewhat "tame" it. If you look closely at the elephant shows, the mahouts use these deadly hooks to keep the animals under partial control. But as reported here, they are never fully in control of these wild, and magnificent beasts.

[fred Kubasa]

Yeah like I'd wander around where wild animals, bigger than a car, heavier

then my mother- in - law, trained by people who can't speak ELEPHANT are

lookin for a meal ! " Next DUMMIES, we'll visit the lions, in their cage !

[roo860]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

Do you mean that this has happened before in the Chiang Mai Night Safari's 10yr history? Or that the Singapore Night Safari hasn't been opened long enough?

Singapore night safari has been open a lot longer ,where do you think
the idea for Chiang Mai Safari came from.

Regards Worgeordie

So in other words, Chiang Mai's Night Safari WAS doing it just like Singapore's, but then S'pore changed their protocols after some years, and Chiang Mai hadn't done so, but managed to maintain a good safety record for almost 10 years.

10 years of tourists interacting with wild animals but no accidents... Off hand I'd say that about as safe as a golf course's safety record. Certainly safer than riding in aTuk-tuk!

I wish one of these abused creatures will soon sit on your guitar !

[webfact]

Baby Lion Spooked Night Safari Elephant, Mahout Says
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Lamduan, a 23-year-old elephant, also received an injury to her left leg from running into a concrete barrier Saturday after reportedly being spooked by a lion cub.

CHIANG MAI — Chiang Mai Night Safari blamed a lion cub today for spooking a 23-year-old elephant who charged the audience in an incident that left nine visitors injured.

Nine people were injured Saturday when the elephant, named Lamduan, suddenly ran into the crowd, causing the tourist attraction to temporarily remove elephants from its “animal parades” and offer 30,000 baht compensation to those injured.

Most of the injuries were sustained when the panicked crowd attempted to flee, zoo manager Sarawut Srisakun said, with only one person believed injured by the elephant.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1447653315

-- Khaosod English 2015-11-16

[Emster23]

I copied "or when a baby lion and tiger joined the parade." and recent follow up seems to confirm that idea. One might reason that when elephant in wild sees baby lion or tiger it is likely mama is nearby. Instinct.

[JHolmesJr]

strange that the night safari in singapore does not have these issues.

some years back a female elephant in singapore zoo gored her keeper to death.

[daoyai]

It was the fault of the lion, case closed.