KHON KAEN, Thailand – Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has requested a court-ordered stay on the relocation of three wild elephants after the death of another elephant during a recent transfer sparked safety concerns.
DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa said on Thursday that the department petitioned the Khon Kaen Administrative Court to suspend the removal of the elephants—known locally as “Nga Jiew,” “Ku Thang,” and “Sido Noi”—to allow for a comprehensive review of operational protocols.
The decision follows the death of “Sido Hoo Pub,” a male elephant, during a relocation operation earlier this week. The incident has drawn public scrutiny over the risks associated with sedating and transporting large mammals.
Athapol stated that they need to learn from the ‘Sido Hoo Pub’ case to improve their procedures, particularly regarding pre-transport health assessments and emergency response plans.
He added that the department is considering shifting its strategy from physical capture and transport to pushing the elephants back into protected forest zones.
The relocation was originally mandated by a court order following a lawsuit filed by residents in Khon Kaen’s Wiang Kao district. The plaintiffs argued that the four elephants posed a persistent threat to lives and property.
Under the initial court ruling, the DNP was legally bound to move the animals within 30 days. Failure to comply would have left officials liable for criminal charges for defying a judicial order. (TNA)
