6 jumbos die trying to save each other
The incident occurred after a baby elephant slipped over the waterfall
Bangkok: Six wild elephants drowned after slipping off a waterfall in northeast Thailand, authorities said on Saturday, with two others saved after they became stranded while apparently trying to rescue one of those that fell into the current.
Thailand: Six elephants fell to their death in Thailand while trying to save each other from a notorious waterfall.
Officials said that the incident occurred after a baby elephant slipped over the waterfall in Southern Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park.
Two other elephants were saved during the incident on Saturday at the Haew Narok waterfall in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, officials said.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said officials were called to the scene on Saturday at 03:00 local time when a group of elephants was blocking a road by the waterfall.
Three hours later, the body of a three-year-old elephant was spotted near the base of Haew Narok, and five others were discovered nearby.
Khanchit Srinoppawan, chief of the national park, told the BBC that the two remaining elephants were being monitored.
Edwin Wiek, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, said the pair may have difficulty surviving as elephants rely on their large herds for protection and finding food. The incident could also take an emotional toll. Elephants have been known to display signs of grief.
“It’s like losing half your family,” Mr Wiek said.
“There’s nothing you can do, it’s nature unfortunately,”
he said.
The national resources and environment minister, Varawut Silpa-archa, told Reuters: “It was an accident. We have often seen this happening.”
There have been similar incidents previously at the same waterfall, also known as Hell’s Fall.
A herd of eight elephants died after falling in 1992.
Around 7,000 Asian elephants remain in Thailand, out of which
◗ There have been similar incidents previously at the same waterfall, locally known as Hell’s Fall.
◗ In 1992, eight elephants had died after falling
◗ Officials said that Friday’s incident occurred after a baby elephant slipped over the waterfall
◗ Two other elephants were spotted on a cliff edge nearby and have been rescued, officials said
around 300 wild elephants currently live in the park, which covers more than 2,000 square km of forest and grassland.
It is home to various wild animals, including bears, elephants and gibbons, and is a popular destination for tourists.
Park chief Tunya Netithammakul ordered the waterfall to be temporarily closed to visitors following the incident.