Young elephant injured by trap in Rayong

PHOTO: Nation TV

Wildlife officials are tracking a young wild elephant whose front left leg has become infected after being caught in a snare. They want to capture it and treat its injury.

The assistant chief of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tantikorn Puangsakul, says officials of the Khao Noi wildlife protection unit spotted the small elephant staggering in a rubber plantation in Tambon Khao Noi of Rayong’s Khao Chamao district yesterday.

Together with the Khao Khiao protection unit, they checked and spotted a herd of 28 to 30 wild elephants wandering in the forest near Takob and Ban Klong Yang villages. One of the elephants, which appeared to be about three years old, had an infectious wound on its front leg and was trailing behind the herd.

Officials said they could smell the stench from the infected wound.

When officials arrived the young elephant went to hide deeper in the forest and officials could not reach it for fear that its herd was still nearby. Officials waited until dusk and are trying to reach the elephant again today.

Prasan said he was informed by villagers Tuesday night that an injured elephant had been spotted, adding that the injury appeared to be several days old. Officials report the young pachyderm was the fourth in the wildlife sanctuary to have been injured by a snare and that one had already died.

SOURCE: The Nation