Thai Conservation Official Oversees Rescue of Injured Wild Elephant and Calf
A Thai conservation minister oversaw the rescue of an injured wild elephant and its separated calf at Khao Yai National Park in Kanchanaburi, directing officials to provide medical care and prepare for the calf's eventual return to its herd
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin led a delegation to Khao Yai National Park in Kanchanaburi province on August 3, 2026, to oversee the rescue operation for the injured wild elephant Sidon Thong Muan and her lost calf. The minister instructed all agencies to provide rigorous scientific treatment, closely monitor the elephants' condition, and ensure adequate medical supplies, food, and water while maintaining strict security protocols and accurate public communication.
Regarding the separated calf, the minister directed officials to prepare for the elephant's eventual return to its herd once fully recovered, while continuously monitoring the herd's behavior and location to determine the optimal time for release. He emphasized that if returning the calf to the wild proves impossible or unsafe, specialists should be consulted to develop appropriate alternative solutions.
Sidon Thong Muan is a male elephant approximately 50 years old, weighing about 4,000 kilograms, with an injury to its left hind leg. The elephant was first discovered on June 27, 2026, in the Ban Salob area of Kanchanaburi province, prompting immediate veterinary intervention by conservation area officials.
