Bangkok: Wild elephants from Khao Yai National Park are expanding their foraging areas into nearby communities, sparking concerns about potential clashes with local residents. Recently, a herd of these elephants was observed crossing a road, while an elephant known as "Pee Ouan" was seen foraging at the edge of the forest.
According to Thai News Agency, the image of the herd crossing the road was shared by Facebook user Theerapong Nakrab in a Khao Yai National Park group. Motorists had to slow down and halt their vehicles to ensure the elephants could pass safely before they returned to the forest. Furthermore, Facebook user Atsada Meeseesong posted a video showing "Pee Uan" exiting the forest to forage on sugarcane near Ban Pong Talong in Pong Talong Subdistrict, Pak Chong District. This behavior highlights the challenge of wild elephants expanding their foraging territories near forests and communities.
Phra Athikarn Kampanat Sukhethito, the abbot of Wat Mu Si and president of the Khao Yai Wildlife and Environment Conservation Club, voiced his concerns regarding the situation. He emphasized the inadequacy of personnel tasked with monitoring and deterring elephants, who are currently operating around the clock with significant reliance on volunteers. The monitoring team is particularly understaffed after midnight, with only 2-3 individuals on duty, leading to gaps in the effort. The elephants' expansion into new foraging areas is attributed to the crop season, which provides them with readily available food sources. Phra Athikarn warned that if the elephants venture closer to communities, the likelihood of human-elephant confrontations will rise. He suggested implementing a continuous monitoring and tracking system, especially during nighttime, with volunteers aiding in traffic management when elephants cross roads to prevent accidents and confrontations.