Minister Thanks Team That Rescued Baby Elephant in Chanthaburi
Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment sent senior advisors to Chanthaburi to honor the team that rescued a baby elephant trapped in a reservoir fishing net on November 6. The operation involved park rangers, police, volunteers, and villagers and took nearly six hours due to the presence of protective adult elephants. The minister praised their professionalism and awarded them a cash reward for their dedication to wildlife conservation.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Surachai Chomklin disclosed on November 10 that he assigned advisors Thiarat Nawamawat and Dr. Chamlong Chuayrod, along with ministry spokesperson Phanuwat Samseniam and Wildlife Conservation Department Director-General Phanumas Samseniam, to travel to Chanthaburi. They expressed gratitude and presented reward money to the Rapid Response Team 9 of the Conservation Area Management Office 2 (Si Racha) and all involved personnel. The team had rescued a baby elephant stuck in a fishing net in the Khlong Phwa Yai Reservoir in Kaeng Hang Maeo District on November 6, successfully returning the calf to its mother and herd. Surachai praised the dedication, sacrifice, speed, and professionalism of officials from the National Parks Department, local administration, police, volunteers, and villagers. Pitak Yingyong, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division, explained that villagers first heard the calf crying at 5 a.m. and alerted authorities. The calf had become entangled in a net in deep water; a rope kept it from sinking. The nearly six-hour operation was difficult and dangerous because the adult elephants nearby could have attacked. The advisors presented the reward to honor the staff's commitment, noting that every life in the forest is valuable and protecting wildlife is a crucial mission of the ministry, relying on the dedication of all personnel to preserve natural resources.
