Nakhon Ratchasima:A herd of 36 wild elephants from Thap Lan National Park recently invaded and severely damaged villagers' crops in the Wang Nam Khiao district.
According to Thai News Agency, thermal drone footage captured by officials and volunteers from Thap Lan National Park showed the elephants raiding agricultural areas in the Udom Sap Subdistrict. The elephants were seen eating farmers' crops before being successfully guided back into the national park by officials.
The elephants left behind significant destruction, having eaten and broken many banana trees, resulting in a long line of uprooted plants. Elephant tracks and droppings were also found scattered throughout the villagers' cornfields. The Udomsap subdistrict is primarily inhabited by farmers who are currently in the harvest season. It is common for herds of wild elephants to leave Thap Lan National Park in search of food beyond park boundaries.