Flash floods unleashed chaos at a popular elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand.
CNN reported that approximately 100 rescued elephants were forced to evacuate from the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai due to severe flooding on Thursday.
The urgent evacuation resulted in the tragic loss of two elephants, with two others still unaccounted for. Saengduean "Lek" Chailert, the sanctuary's founder, described the event as the "biggest evacuation" in the park's history. The rapidly rising floodwaters prompted staff to guide the elephants through belly-deep water to higher ground on a nearby mountain.
The flooding, caused by torrential rains from Typhoon Yagi, has severely impacted northern Thailand in recent weeks. The Elephant Nature Park, known for rescuing and rehabilitating elephants from the tourism and logging industries, found itself in the path of this natural disaster.
Dramatic footage captured the harrowing evacuation, with mahouts (elephant caretakers) urging the animals to safety. The situation remained dire even after the initial evacuation, with 13 adult elephants still trapped in their quarters by Friday morning. Saengduean expressed her heartbreak over the loss of two elephants, including a blind elephant named Ploy Thong.
The sanctuary has issued urgent pleas for help as the flood situation continues to worsen. With waters still rising, there's a possibility of needing to relocate the animals once again.
Saengduean emphasized the need for boats to allow mahouts to remain with the elephants, keeping them calm during this stressful time. The park has also requested volunteers and animal cages to facilitate moving the animals further up the mountains.
The Elephant Nature Park is home to over 200 rescued elephants, many of which have physical disabilities or injuries. These conditions have made the evacuation process particularly challenging. Saengduean highlighted the difficulties faced during the evacuation:
Among the evacuated animals, there are many sick elephants, some barely walk. We had to help them to get to the foot of the mountain. We are in desperate need for help.
About 30 foreign volunteers, including five Americans, are currently stranded at the sanctuary. Some of these volunteers have been working at the park for several weeks.
Thailand's Department of National Parks has responded to the crisis by dispatching officers to assist with the evacuation. However, flooded roads have hindered their ability to reach the sanctuary.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, head of the department, stated that flat-bottomed boats and additional volunteers are urgently needed to complete the evacuation of the remaining animals. The flooding has also impacted several villages in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district, with water from upstream runoffs causing widespread inundation.
The Elephant Nature Park is home to elephants and approximately 5,000 other rescued animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and rabbits. Many of these animals were evacuated in the days before the flood after authorities issued warnings.
In conclusion, the flash floods at the Elephant Nature Park have resulted in a massive evacuation effort, with about 100 elephants fleeing to safety. Two elephants have perished, and two remain missing. The sanctuary continues to call for urgent assistance as they battle rising waters and work to protect their vulnerable animals.
