CHIANG MAI, Thailand – An 12-year-old female elephant survived after being swept nearly two kilometres by flash floodwaters in Mae Wang district, with rescuers later bringing her safely ashore and moving her to a secure area, September 19. The elephant, named “Phang Aem”, was being kept with other elephants at an area near the Mae Wang River in Mae Win subdistrict when the flash flood struck.
According to owner Theerapat Trangprakan of Rom Daen Chang, the mahout tried to move the elephants away from the river as floodwaters rose rapidly and strongly. However, Phang Aem has a disability affecting her right front leg, which was reportedly injured when her mother stepped on it shortly after she was born.
Because of the disability, Phang Aem was unable to move as quickly as the other elephants and was swept into the river. She was carried by the current for almost two kilometres. Fortunately, the section of river she travelled through did not contain large rocks, and she was not visibly injured. The mahout team eventually managed to call her towards the bank and guide her safely out of the water.
The Rom Daen Chang team, including mahouts, assistants and veterinary personnel, then examined Phang Aem. She was initially trembling from fear after emerging from the floodwaters.
Once she had calmed down, the team checked her body, joints and muscles. She showed no signs of pain or obvious physical injury.
The team remained concerned about possible internal injuries caused by the force of the flood. After observing that Phang Aem was able to urinate normally and that her urine was clear with no sign of blood, they considered the immediate signs reassuring. Phang Aem has since been moved to a safe area where she will remain under observation. The team plans to monitor her condition for at least 24 hours and keep her away from the river until the flash-flood situation has subsided. (TNA)
