Wild ‘elephant migration’ causes a trunk-load of trouble in Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen, a northeastern province in Thailand, is currently experiencing an invasion of wild elephants from the neighbouring province of Loei. The elephants, in search of food, have descended from the mountains of Phu Kradueng district, causing widespread destruction in two subdistricts – Boribun and Dong Lan in Si Chomphu district – of the province.

Images of five wild elephants frolicking in a pond in Si Chomphu have been shared on the Khon Kaen Community Facebook page. Accompanying the images is a comprehensive report on the extensive damage inflicted by these large mammals on local plantations.

The unruly elephants made their initial appearance on October 28, marching into plantations and causing significant damage to the local flora, crops, as well as homes and possessions of the residents.

A local administrative figure, 54 year old Boonpeng Thongthiam, of Boribun subdistrict, revealed that the villagers attempted to ward off the elephants using firecrackers, but to no avail. The elephants did retreat momentarily but persisted in returning, causing further damage.

Upon Boonpeng’s request, administrative officials from Si Chomphu arrived at the scene in an attempt to herd the elephants back into the forest. However, their efforts were unsuccessful, and two officials were lightly injured in the process.

The villagers are now looking to forestry officials for assistance, who are scheduled to visit today, with the hope of devising an appropriate response to the elephant intrusion, reported Bangkok Post.

The elephant-human conflict is not new to the region. Last month, a network of individuals affected by threats from wild elephants complained to the House of Representatives. The complaint highlighted the escalating conflict between local communities and wild animals, which has led to numerous casualties and injuries on both sides.

In related news, two wild elephants, roughly aged between 20 and 25 and 30 and 35 years, met a tragic end due to electrocution in Surat Thani province. The elephants fell victim to an electric fence positioned by a local durian orchard farmer in Tai Rom Yen National Park located within Kanchanadit, a district in southern Thailand. Read more about this story HERE.

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