Elderly Man Survives Attack by Wild Elephant Calf Thanks to His Six Dogs
Elderly Man Survives Attack by Wild Elephant Calf Thanks to His Six Dogs
Georgalbert, Asean Now
September 5, 2024
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https://aseannow.com/topic/1337321-elderly-man-survives-attack-by-wild-elephant-calf-thanks-to-his-six-dogs/#google_vignette
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On September 4, Chaiya Khemmonta, the village head of Moo 13, Ban Khlong
Takhian in Tha Takiap District, received a distressing report early in the
morning. A villager had been attacked and injured by a wild elephant calf.
Upon hearing the news, the village head immediately alerted the district
officer and relevant authorities, who, along with a team of local
volunteers, rushed to the scene to provide assistance.
The incident occurred on the edge of Ban Ang Tabaek forest, near a rubber
plantation that had been converted into a "Khon Nong Na" agroforestry
project. There, the rescue team found Mr. Pornchai (surname withheld), a
resident of Moo 13, Tha Takiap Subdistrict, writhing in pain after being
attacked by the young elephant. He was quickly transported to Tha Takiap
Hospital, where doctors performed an X-ray and treated multiple injuries.
Despite experiencing back pain, chest tightness, and dizziness, Mr.
Pornchai's condition was deemed non-life-threatening, and he was discharged
from the hospital later in the day.
When interviewed, Mr. Pornchai recounted the harrowing experience. Early
that morning, just before dawn, he had gone out to inspect his crops as
usual. Without warning, a wild elephant calf, roughly the size of a buffalo
and weighing over 500 kilograms, charged at him. The elephant knocked him
to the ground and pinned him with its head, biting his thigh.
In a desperate bid for survival, Mr. Pornchai began shouting for help.
Miraculously, his six dogs, which he had raised and trained, came running
to his aid. They barked fiercely at the elephant, surrounding it and
causing enough commotion to force the calf to retreat into the nearby
eucalyptus forest. "I could feel my life being spared by those six dogs,"
Mr. Pornchai said, still shaken by the ordeal.
Village head Chaiya noted that he had repeatedly warned the villagers to
exercise caution while working in the fields, as a herd of wild elephants,
including a few calves, had been sighted in the area. Additionally, a large
adult elephant, known to frequent local communities and roads in search of
food, had not shown aggressive behavior towards humans until now.
To address the growing concern, a volunteer team has been established to
monitor the situation, patrolling the area by pickup truck, especially at
night, to prevent further incidents.