Poachers kill two wild gaurs in Nakhon Ratchasima
Two wild gaur were found shot dead in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district, suspected to have been killed by poachers for their meat. Local police are intensifying efforts to track down the perpetrators.
Yesterday, April 2, after locals discovered the carcasses of male gaurs at the rear of Yub E Pun village, Wang Mee subdistrict, Som Sak Jotklang, the headman of Wang Mee, coordinated with officials for an investigation. They found the gaur, weighing over 1 tonne, with multiple gunshot wounds, estimated to have been dead for at least three days.
It is likely that the animals were shot elsewhere and ran to this location before succumbing to their injuries. During the inspection, a suspicious man with a bloodstained backpack was spotted but fled upon seeing the officials. Additionally, the remains of a five year old male gaur were found, nearly all its meat removed, leaving only the head, horns, and ankles.
Supattra Poonkratok, head of the Khao Phaeng Ma Wildlife Sanctuary, revealed that the first gaur carcass was located within the Phu Luang National Forest in Yub E Pun village, close to the Khao Yai National Park. Locals reported a herd of more than 20 gaurs inhabiting the area due to its abundant food sources.
Following the report, sanctuary officials conducted a preliminary investigation on the evening of April 1. For thorough examination, they coordinated with relevant agencies, including Wang Nam Khiao Police, Khao Yai National Park officials, Wang Nam Khiao district livestock officers, and forest officials, to inspect the site where the over 1 tonne male gaur was found dead at the edge of a local farm.
Amidst the investigation, a villager carrying a bloodstained backpack was seen escaping through a barbed wire fence. Though officials tried to pursue him, they were unsuccessful.
They later discovered the remains of a five year old male gaur, stripped of its meat, leaving behind only the head, horns, and ankles, leading to the assumption that both gaurs were poached for their meat.
After completing the examination and collecting evidence, the officials buried the remains, scattering lime to prevent disease transmission. Police Major General Phairoj Khunmuen, commander of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, stated that upon receiving the report, he instructed the provincial police’s investigation team to collaborate with Wang Nam Khiao Police.
They are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses near the scene to quickly identify and prosecute those responsible for the shooting of the wild gaur, reported KhaoSod.
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