Trunk road surprise: Prachin Buri motorists have elephant-sized scare
Motorists in Prachin Buri province experienced a heart-stopping moment when two wild elephants wandered onto a public road, narrowly avoiding a collision with passing vehicles. The dramatic incident has reignited concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the region.
The elephants, which had strayed from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, were spotted near Ban Hua Sa School in Si Maha Phot district. Startled drivers were forced to slow down as the massive animals lumbered across the road, raising fears of potential accidents.
Locals revealed that these elephants have been causing havoc in nearby farming communities, trampling crops and damaging property. Wildlife rangers have been closely monitoring the pair, making efforts to guide them back to the sanctuary before further damage occurs.
Recent drone footage confirmed that the elephants remain hidden in the forest near Ban Hua Sa, indicating they may still pose a risk to residents and motorists.
Local officials are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution on roads near the sanctuary and have intensified patrols to prevent future encounters.
With increasing reports of elephants encroaching on human settlements, conservationists are calling for long-term solutions to manage Thailand’s delicate balance between wildlife protection and public safety, reported Pattaya Mail.
For now, residents remain on high alert, hoping these gentle giants make their way back to the wild before another close encounter turns into a disaster.
In similar news, Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry unveiled a plan to use contraceptive injections on wild elephants to manage their population and reduce human-elephant conflicts.
Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has instructed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to implement the strategy as part of efforts to control the growing elephant population.
Thailand is home to at least 4,000 wild elephants, with the population increasing by 7 to 8% annually. Experts warn that within four years, numbers could reach 6,000, exacerbating conflicts due to shrinking forests. Since 2012, elephant attacks have resulted in 240 deaths and 208 injuries.
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