Kanchanaburi: In a single day, two heart-wrenching incidents involving wild elephants unfolded, resulting in the death of a wild elephant and a dedicated wildlife ranger in Kanchanaburi Province.

According to Thai News Agency, a team of veterinarians from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Region 3 (Ban Pong) conducted a necropsy on the remains of a female elephant that was found shot dead. The elephant was discovered in a forest area bordering Khao Laem National Park and Thong Pha Phum National Park, specifically in Ban Pilok Kee, Pilok Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District. Villagers had notified officials upon finding the elephant’s remains. Initial examinations revealed multiple wounds, suspected to be bullet wounds, with further investigation by veterinarians and police forensic officers pending. The incident reportedly took place on the farm of a Thong Pha Phum National Park official.

On the same day, another tragic incident occurred around 9:00 PM, when Mr. Bancha Kraisribaramee, also known as Kru Tu, a 45-year-old forest ranger and head of the Tikhu Unit in Thungyai Naresuan Western Wildlife Sanctuary, was fatally attacked by wild elephants. Mr. Bancha was on duty when the attack took place. Despite his friends’ efforts to rush him to Thong Pha Phum Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. His family is set to hold religious rites at Wat Tha Din Daeng in Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, expressed his deepest condolences over the loss of Mr. Bancha. He has directed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to provide comprehensive care and support to the deceased’s family in compliance with government welfare regulations, acknowledging Mr. Bancha’s commitment to the protection of the nation’s forest and wildlife resources.