Suspected ivory poaching investigated in three elephant deaths

A special task force, known as “Phaya Sua” (the king of tigers), has been dispatched to Nakhon Nayok, Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi to investigate the deaths of three elephants whose tusks had been removed.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said today that he wants to determine whether the elephants were shot by ivory poachers or electrocuted before their tusks were later removed.

The first elephant death was reported by Khao Yai National Park chief Chaiya Huayhongtong on Monday. The decomposing carcass was found in a forest in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok, with both tusks missing. Veterinarians could not immediately determine the cause of death.

On the same day, the department received a report of a second elephant death in Khao Khitchakut district of Chanthaburi province. Burn marks were found on the animal’s body, and officials believe it may have died about three days earlier from an electric shock.

Metal fragments believed to be bullets were found in its chest, chin and right ear. Park officials said the elephant was likely shot previously by poachers but survived.

The third death was reported on Sunday in a forest in Muang district of Kanchanaburi. A team of veterinarians travelled to the site on Monday to investigate. Officials believe the elephant was electrocuted. Park officials later removed its two tusks before burying the carcass in the forest.