Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands

In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural habitat.

The wild elephants, typically confined within the sanctuary in the neighbouring Chachoengsao region, descended on the local farms earlier this week. They feasted on sugarcane, pineapples and cassava crops, vital sources of income for the local villagers.

Minister of the MONRE, Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, took the initiative yesterday, December 7. He commanded all relevant agencies within Prachin Buri to halt the elephants’ progression and guide them back into the forest, aiming to safeguard the villagers’ livelihoods.

Approximately 250 officials and rangers were mobilised for this operation. They utilised pickup trucks and agricultural machinery strategically parked to guide the elephants’ return journey to the forest. Drone technology was also deployed to identify the exact location of the herd, ensuring constant surveillance.

However, the situation seems to be escalating. Officials have reported the presence of an additional 30 wild elephants near the Thung Phraya subdistrict. Simultaneously, 60 more elephants from the Huai Kradod subdistrict in the Sanam Chai Khet district of Chachoengsao are advancing towards Wang Tha Chan subdistrict in Prachin Buri, reported Bangkok Post.

In total, nearly 200 wild elephants are currently rampaging or posing a potential threat to farms across Prachin Buri, as reported by the authorities. The situation remains dynamic as the relevant agencies endeavour to control the situation and secure the safety of both the wild elephants and the locals.

In related news, agricultural communities in Loei, a province in northeast Thailand, are grappling with the daunting invasion of wild elephants from the Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve. The elephants have devoured crops almost entirely in some fields, leading to an earnest plea to the relevant government agencies for an urgent resolution. Read more about this story HERE.