(TH) 'Kind'elephant becomes victim of firepower

[Guest guest]

'Kind'elephant becomes victim of firepower

 

 

Plai Khai Heed, an elephant that injured a villager in Nakhon Si Thammarat's

Phrom Khiri district on Wednesday, died yesterday from multiple gunshot

wounds, prompting criticism of the villagers' excessive use of firearms.

 

 

Published on February 23, 2008

 

 

 

Meanwhile the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department

warned the public to be cautious when travelling through Tab Lan, Khao Yai,

Khao Ang Reu Nai, Kaeng Krajan and Kui Buri national parks, where they were

likely to encounter wild elephants.

 

When Plai Khai Heed crossed over from Phibun district to Tambon Thon Hong in

Phrom Khiri district and injured rubber-tapper Thavorn Ratchakijja, 45,

villagers shot at it until it fled into a nearby forest.

 

The next morning, the injured pachyderm emerged, and some villagers, mostly

teenagers, reportedly fired at it again before Khanom district veterinarian

Pornpirom Fungtrakul, a volunteer with Friends of the Asian Elephant

Foundation, hit it with a tranquilliser dart.

 

A village elder, who asked not to be named, said that despite the

veterinarian's plea for them to stop, many people on motorcycles chased the

beast, making it even angrier. He said he had then heard 10 gunshots as if

the villagers were " trying out their fire power " .

 

He said the elephant had been born in the area and was now aged 51. Before

being bought by current owner Surin Bangsakul, 57, the elephant was said to

be a kind and intelligent animal.

 

The elder said even though the animal was angry and in heat, it still felt

this area was its home and that was why it kept coming back. " I can't

believe that Plai Khai Heed came back to be killed at hands of the locals, "

he said.

 

Surin went to collect his animal on Thursday night, but it died later while

being transported. Surin said he had filed a report with the police that his

elephant had succumbed to gunshot wounds. It will be buried at his home and

the tusks saved for sentimental reasons.

 

Veterinarian Pornpirom said an initial examination showed the beast had died

from internal bleeding.

 

Following a previous elephant attack that killed a Buddhist monk on

pilgrimage near Nakhon Ratchasima's Tab Lan National Park, Samart

Sumanojitraporn, director of the Wildlife Protection Office, said monks had

been warned to notify the office before entering national parks to prevent

such attacks.

 

During this dry season, wild animals have been gathering near sources of

water and the foothills, thus encountering monks and visitors. He warned

visitors to stay clear of the elephants because it was the mating season,

when they could be dangerous.

 

The Nation

 

Nakhon Si Thammarat

 

 

Edwin Wiek and Founder

Wildlife Friends Foundation (Thailand)

www.wfft.org <http://www.wfft.org/>