Italian tourists injured in goring attack by bull elephant in Phang Nga park

A 29 year old Italian tourist, and his travel companion, are in a Phang Nga hospital this morning following an elephant attack.

The man was seriously injured yesterday when a 12 year old male elephant, that he and a friend were riding as part of a tourist activity in Phang Nga’s Mueang district, suddenly shook them to the ground and gored him in the stomach.

The incident took place at 10.30am yesterday morning at an old oil-palm plantation in Tambon Song Praek that is now a private park for elephant riding.

Trofa Manuel sustained serious injuries in the incident, while his compatriot, 31 year old Francesco Di Megli, received minor injuries.

Both were rushed to Phang Nga Hospital, where they are recovering from their injuries.

The 26 year old mahout Kanchanapong Kanwichit, who sustained some bruising after falling from the elephant but sought no treatment, told police that his bull elephant, named Plai Thanwa, had attacked the tourists towards the end of a 30 minute ride. He says the assault had been totally unprovoked.

He said the elephant had suddenly and violently shaken off the riders, before stabbing a tusk intoMr Manuel. He claims the attack was unusual and out-of-character behaviour, as Plai Thanwa, now chained in a safe, secluded spot at the park, was normally good-natured.

The elephant had never attack anyone before, and was not currently in rut (on heat), Kanchanapong added.

SOURCE: The Nation