A popular elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand was hit by severe flash floods on Thursday, forcing the urgent evacuation of around 100 elephants and trapping tourists as staff fought to guide the animals to safety. The Elephant Nature Park, near Chiang Mai, experienced the worst flooding in its history as water levels rose rapidly, leaving the sanctuary overwhelmed.
Videos and images captured the dramatic scene as mahouts (elephant handlers) led elephants through chest-deep water, encouraging them to move to higher ground. Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, the park’s founder, called the evacuation the largest the park has ever undertaken.
Despite successfully moving many elephants to nearby mountains, the threat persists. Thirteen adult elephants remain trapped in their enclosures, panicked and struggling as waters continue to rise. Saengduean expressed the need for urgent help from Thai authorities, emphasizing the challenge of rescuing the remaining elephants and ensuring their safety.
Floods and Ongoing Danger
Thailand’s northern region has been battered by severe flooding and landslides in recent weeks, worsened by torrential rains from Typhoon Yagi, which struck in mid-September. The storm is Asia’s most powerful this year, and the damage it has caused is visible in many areas. The Ping River, which runs through Chiang Mai, has reached dangerous water levels, with officials issuing flood alerts across the region.
The sanctuary is now grappling with rising water levels and the possibility of needing to evacuate again. Volunteers and staff are working around the clock, but they face difficulties due to flooded roads that have cut off access to the sanctuary, isolating both animals and people.
Saengduean has made a desperate plea for boats and additional manpower to assist in the evacuation. About 30 foreign volunteers, including five Americans, are currently trapped at the park, unable to leave due to the floodwaters. These volunteers, some of whom have been at the sanctuary for several weeks, are helping the staff in their efforts to care for the animals.
Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts
The Elephant Nature Park is known for its work in rescuing and rehabilitating elephants from the tourism and logging industries. Since the 1990s, it has saved over 200 elephants, many of which are blind or have physical injuries, further complicating their evacuation efforts.
“The animals were exhausted, some barely able to walk,” said Saengduean. “We need immediate assistance to continue the rescue operations and protect these vulnerable elephants.”
In addition to elephants, the sanctuary houses about 5,000 other rescued animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and rabbits. Some of these animals were moved to safety in recent days after authorities issued flood warnings, but the situation remains critical.
Thailand’s National Animal in Danger
Thailand’s elephants, the country’s national animal, have faced numerous threats over the past century, including poaching, habitat loss, and exploitation in tourism and logging industries. Their numbers have dwindled significantly, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 wild elephants remaining, down from over 100,000 at the start of the 20th century.
Efforts to save these animals have been hindered by ongoing flooding, and while Thai authorities have sent rescue teams to the sanctuary, they have struggled to reach the park due to impassable roads. Atthapol Charoenchansa, head of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, has called for additional resources, including flat-bottomed boats and volunteers, to assist in the evacuation efforts.
The Road Ahead
With heavy rains expected to continue and the threat of further flooding, the situation at the Elephant Nature Park remains dire. The staff, volunteers, and elephants face an uncertain future, and the park is calling for urgent help to secure the safety of all its animals and visitors.