Yesterday, Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, deputy chief of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, reported that yet another elephant had been slain in Petchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan park, apparently by poachers.
The animal, which was discovered headless, was originally thought by park authorities to have been slain for the purpose of harvesting its ivory. However, further investigations by park officials revealed that the elephant had been female and, in fact, pregnant.
Investigators discovered rifle and shotgun shells near the animal’s body, both of which had originated from weapon types common to the area.
This latter evidence led park officials to revise their speculations and hypothesize that, perhaps, local farmers had killed the elephant after it encroached on their plantations.
The Bangkok Post reports that the police and Parks department officials have launched an investigation into the elephant’s killing.
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Photo: WWF
