Khon kaen: The Office of Protected Area Management 8 (Khon Kaen) held a press conference regarding the incident involving the wild elephant, "Phlai Sido Hu Phap," acknowledging the failure of the rescue mission and committing to learning from it to prevent recurrence. Officials revealed a timeline of the relocation efforts, detailing the number of tranquilizer injections used and the total dosage administered to the elephant.
According to Thai News Agency, the press conference took place at the Office of Protected Area Management Region 8 (Khon Kaen), where Mr. Nattawat Nuijaroen, Director of the office, along with other officials, addressed the media concerning the death of the approximately 15-20-year-old male elephant. The elephant died during its relocation from Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen Province, to Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary in Loei Province, a move ordered by the Khon Kaen Administrative Court on February 4th.
Mr. Nattawat Nuijaroen expressed his sorrow over the loss and explained the necessity of relocating the elephant due to its aggressive behavior towards people and a court order. The operation aimed to reduce human-wildlife conflict but resulted in an unforeseen tragedy. Despite careful planning and monitoring, the incident deeply saddened the National Parks Department staff, who emphasized their commitment to protecting both human and wildlife lives. The agency accepted responsibility for the incident, apologized to the public and conservation groups, and committed to using feedback to improve future operations.
The veterinary team provided a detailed timeline of the tranquilization process, which involved administering five tranquilizer darts totaling 25 cc. The first dart, containing 13 cc, was administered at 7:00 PM, followed by additional injections at 7:45 PM, 8:04 PM, 9:02 PM, and 10:36 PM, each with 3 cc. These were necessary due to the elephant's continued movement and behavior, posing risks to officials and complicating the relocation process.
A reporter inquired about the need for multiple tranquilizer injections. The veterinary team explained that the elephant's reaction required careful management, including additional tranquilization when the elephant began to recover during preparations for transport. The delay was exacerbated by challenging terrain, necessitating further injections to ensure safety during the operation.
The press conference concluded with officials reaffirming their dedication to improving safety standards for wildlife management, ensuring such incidents are not repeated in future relocation efforts.