Officials Treat Injured Wild Elephant in Kanchanaburi
Veterinarians successfully treated a 40-year-old wild elephant named Sidor for a left hind leg injury in Kanchanaburi's forests using drones and night operations, administering anti-inflammatory and painkiller injections while managing safe
On August 18, 2025, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin revealed that he received a progress report from Arthapol Jarengsunthasana, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, regarding the tracking and treatment of a wild elephant named Sidor, approximately 40 years old, injured in its left hind leg. The elephant was located in forest near Ban Wang Dang village, Wang Dang Subdistrict, Muang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province, outside the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary.
A team of veterinarians from Conservation Area Administration 3 (Ban Pong) worked with Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary officers to track and treat the elephant continuously. On August 17, staff used drones to search known locations but found no trace until 9:30 p.m., when residents reported a wild elephant in the area. Drone surveillance confirmed it was Sidor foraging in dense forest, with two other wild elephants nearby.
Officials coordinated a three-part operation: a drone team to monitor movement and establish safety zones, ground staff to encourage the elephant away from dense forest and prevent grouping with other elephants, and a veterinary team to provide treatment from a safe distance. By 1:00 a.m. on August 18, the operation succeeded, with staff administering two injections—an anti-inflammatory and a painkiller—to Sidor. All personnel remained safe.
"I thank and commend the veterinary team from Conservation Area Administration 3 and all Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary staff who worked with full dedication despite operating at night in difficult jungle conditions with other wild elephants present, which posed serious risk," Suchart said. "Yet they remained committed to helping and caring for Sidor completely."
The minister instructed staff to maintain close observation of Sidor's behavior and condition through rotating shifts to assess progress and plan ongoing treatment. He also appealed to local residents to avoid approaching or disturbing wild elephants if sighted and to report immediately to officials so operations can proceed safely for both the public and wildlife.
