In Mae Tang district of Thailand, more than 100 elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai province were forced to move to higher ground due to rapidly rising flood waters. The park employee, known only as Dada, informed AFP. Unfortunately, two elephants, Faa Sai and 40-year-old Ploy Thong who was blind, were found dead during the flooding. Saengduean Chailert, the director of the Elephant Nature Park, expressed her devastation at witnessing her elephants floating in the water, calling it her worst nightmare. She vowed to prevent such a tragedy from happening again by relocating the elephants to higher ground before the next monsoon season.
Ploy Thong, who had lost her herd during the flood, was swept away by the powerful river despite the dedicated efforts of her caretaker, as reported by the Elephant Nature Park in a Facebook post. Similarly, Faa Sai had approached the river during the flood and, despite the park team’s best efforts to keep her safe, she was also swept away by the current. Tragically, both elephants were found drowned about 1km downstream from the park. Ploy Thong had been rescued in 2018 from an elephant riding camp in Pattaya, where she had worked in the logging industry before. Faa Sai, born in 2002, was rescued in November 2007.
The loss of Faa Sai and Ploy Thong has been a heartbreaking blow to the Elephant Nature Park and its employees. The team had worked tirelessly to protect the elephants from the severe flooding, moving them to higher ground to ensure their safety. Saengduean Chailert expressed her determination to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the future by taking preemptive measures before the next monsoon season. The park’s dedication to the well-being of the elephants in its care is evident in their efforts to keep them safe during natural disasters.
The death of Faa Sai and Ploy Thong serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by elephants living in flood-prone areas and the importance of proactive measures to protect them. The loss of these two beloved elephants has deeply impacted the staff and visitors of the Elephant Nature Park, who have witnessed the dedication and care provided to the animals. The park’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its elephant residents is reflected in their swift actions taken during the flooding to relocate the animals to higher ground. The heartbreaking loss of Faa Sai and Ploy Thong highlights the vulnerability of elephants during natural disasters and the need for continued efforts to safeguard their lives.
The Elephant Nature Park’s mission to provide a safe haven for rescued elephants and raise awareness about the plight of these majestic animals remains unwavering, despite the recent tragedy. The park’s dedicated staff continues to work tirelessly to ensure the well-being and safety of the elephants in their care, learning from the devastating loss of Faa Sai and Ploy Thong to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again. The global community is reminded of the importance of protecting and preserving these endangered creatures, whose lives are at risk from various threats, including natural disasters. The memory of Faa Sai and Ploy Thong will live on as a symbol of the challenges faced by elephants and the continuing efforts to protect them from harm.
