Wild Elephant Carcass Found in Khao Yai Forest—Tusks Missing, Director Orders Investigation
Wildlife officials investigating the death of a wild elephant found in Khao Yai National Park with missing tusks; veterinarians suspect the animal died from illness and infection rather than poaching.
On May 26, Arthapol Charoenchantsaña, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, ordered special operations teams and wildlife conservation officials to investigate multiple wild elephant deaths reported across three provinces: Nakhon Nayok, Chanthaburi, and Kanchanaburi. Today, Chaiyya Huayhoengthong, director of Khao Yai National Park, along with Sukhee Boonsrang, director of the wildlife conservation office, and department officials descended on the Khao Khaew forest area in Sarika Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Nayok, to examine the elephant carcass following orders from the parks director.
The elephant remains were discovered by patrol unit 13 officers during a routine patrol. Only skeletal remains were found, with the elephant estimated to have died 1-3 months ago. Upon inspection, both tusks were found missing from the skull, prompting authorities to notify the National Parks Department. Officials subsequently arrived with police from Mueang Nakhon Nayok Police Station to investigate and collect evidence.
Ballistic testing was performed on the carcass but revealed no suspicious objects. According to veterinary assessment, the elephant may have died from illness. Veterinarians noted cracks and deterioration at the tusk bases, suggesting the elephant may have fought with other elephants, sustained wounds, developed infections, and subsequently died from complications.
The carcass location is within Khao Yai National Park, accessible via Khlong Maduea Road in Sarika Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Nayok, followed by approximately 2 kilometers on foot through forest and streams. After detailed examination, officials applied lime powder to the skeleton to disinfect and kill bacteria and fungi before cremating it according to departmental protocols.
Meanwhile, National Parks Department officials have issued a public appeal to anyone who removed the tusks, urging them to contact and return them. Those unwilling to return them in person are invited to simply leave the tusks at a designated location and provide coordinates for retrieval.
