Lost tusk in pachyderm punch-up

Officials at Khao Yai National Park are standing by with medical gear in case more elephant bulls engage in combat over grazing rights – or over a female, as happened on Wednesday morning.

Male elephants Plai Duan and Plai Sa-ard were duelling over a female from 7am Wednesday into the afternoon in the Pong Thung Kwang area. Plai Duan sustained a cut over the left eye, but you should’ve seen the other guy – Plai Sa-ard lost a tusk.

Park officials and veterinarian, who watched the battle from afar, collected the 9.5 kilogram tusk, which will be forwarded to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in accordance with regulations.

Veterinarian Pattarapol Manee-on posted photos from the big fight on Facebook, commenting that more pachyderm punch-ups were expected, mainly over who gets the best feeding grounds.

STORY: The Nation