Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of National Parks expects the investigation into the "folded-eared buffalo" case to be clear next week. A group of elephant lovers gathered at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to demand clarification regarding the death of "Sidor Hu Phap," a rooster. The Director-General of the department confirmed a temporary suspension of all wild elephant movements nationwide. He stated that the investigation into the facts will be clarified next week, with qualified veterinary experts participating in the review. He also opened the door for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to oversee the process for transparency.
According to Thai News Agency, today, a group of elephant lovers gathered again at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to demand an update on the investigation into the case of "Sidor Hu Phap," a leopard elephant that collapsed during relocation.
Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department, stated before departing to investigate the illegal road construction in the Mae Yuam Wildlife Sanctuary, Mae Hong Son Province, that the fact-finding committee is currently reviewing in-depth information, including operational procedures, the use of tranquilizers, and field care. He expects a preliminary conclusion within this week. Afterward, the information will be sent to another committee, which includes external experts such as veterinary professors specializing in elephants and wildlife, for further academic review. He is confident that a clear conclusion will be reached within the next week.
Mr. Atthapol stated that regarding concerns from animal welfare groups and organizations, the Department of National Parks is ready to clarify all issues once the investigation is complete and welcomes the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to participate in monitoring the investigation process to ensure transparency and accountability at every step.
Simultaneously, orders have been given to temporarily suspend the movement of wild elephants nationwide, including the three wild elephants currently undergoing proceedings under a court order from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court: "Nga Chiew," "Khu Thang," and "Si Don Noi," pending a review of the lessons learned from the "Si Don Hu Phap" case before relocating them.
The Department of National Parks is currently compiling a report detailing the obstacles and facts to submit to the public prosecutor to explain the necessity of delaying the relocation process. They emphasized that the relocation process must prioritize the safety of wildlife, staff, and the public before proceeding. In the meantime, measures will be taken to push the elephants back into deeper forest areas, and staff will be deployed to closely monitor the situation and minimize risks to public life and property.
The Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation also stated that the incident involving "Sidor Hu Phap" was heartbreaking and something no one wanted to happen. This operation was conducted according to scientific principles, maintaining a balance between animal welfare and public safety. He confirmed that they will expedite the investigation to determine all the facts and use this case as an important lesson to improve operational procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The group of elephant lovers who gathered at the Department of National Parks read a statement raising concerns about the capture and relocation of "Sidor Hu Phap" (a type of elephant) and presented several demands, including: holding administrators and staff accountable; reviewing the use of tranquilizers and elephant relocation methods; and comprehensively restoring the elephant's habitat and food sources.
Furthermore, questions were raised about the number of officers involved in the operation, the appropriateness of using multiple tranquilizer injections, the readiness of equipment for transportation, and the procedure for complying with the administrative court order. It was stated that the matter would be closely monitored and the demands would be escalated if clear explanations were not received.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has confirmed that it is ready to disclose the results of the fact-finding investigation and provide a public statement once the process is complete.