07/10/2024
Natural disasters caused by extreme climate change bring massive amounts of rainfall that pour into water sources, flooding low-lying urban areas from forests. Conversely, it is believed that sooner or later, we will face the opposite situation—extreme drought and heat.
From September through October, continuous rain caused a massive surge of water from the headwaters of the Mae Taeng River, which flows into the Mae Taeng River, a natural tourism destination in Chiang Mai. Along both sides of the river, there are many tourist attractions, including numerous elephant camps. According to a report from the National Elephant Institute, under the Forest Industry Organization (2015-2024), there are 49 elephant camps (with 546 elephants) along the Mae Taeng River.
The crisis began on the afternoon of Thursday, October 3, 2024. A massive surge of water overflowed the banks of the Mae Taeng River quickly, continuing until the early morning of Friday. The water level rose rapidly. Most elephants were evacuated and moved to higher ground, while the large elephant camp (with over 100 elephants) of the Elephant and Environment Foundation was still scrambling to relocate its elephants and other animals, including dogs, cats, goats, cows, buffaloes, and pigs, but they were overwhelmed. As a result, the massive surge of water flooded the camp (estimated visually at a depth of 1.5-2.0 meters). Moving over a hundred elephants was incredibly challenging and posed great risk to both human and elephant lives, especially since these elephants had not been trained or closely bonded with their caretakers. We began closely monitoring to see what support we could provide.
The National Elephant Institute's team got involved on Friday morning after receiving a phone request from the foundation’s staff. Initially, they were asked to help relocate and care for male elephants still in their pens but unable to leave, while the water levels were rising quickly. The team was quickly assembled, held an emergency meeting, and set off later that morning.
Upon arrival, they found that the route to the elephant camp was cut off by the swift current. Phone communication was impossible, and only shortwave radios could be used. The team had to wait until late afternoon for a rescue boat from Kalasin province to cross the water and assess the situation of the male elephants in their pens. They found all 10 male elephants still present, with their heads above water. Surprisingly, several female elephants were also trapped in the pens, some with disabilities such as lameness or blindness. It was also reported that several elephants had been swept away by the water earlier, and later the remains of Fa Sai (Wan Chalerm) and Ploy Thong were found, a tragic loss.
The team decided to split into two groups to assist both groups of elephants.
In emergencies like this, the basic principle is that if the elephants and mahouts can communicate, the mahouts lead and direct the elephants to safety. Elephants tend to follow familiar paths, which in this case were close to the rushing Mae Taeng River, making it extremely dangerous. Therefore, the elephants needed to be guided by their mahouts.
For female elephants or non-aggressive ones, if they hadn’t had much interaction with their mahouts, standard practice in wild elephant relocations is to sedate the elephants and cover their eyes with cloth while leading them. However, in this case, the high water levels made sedation risky (as sedatives cause muscle relaxation, leading to the trunk sinking into the water). That day, the team—comprising veterinarians, mahouts from the National Elephant Institute, experienced mahouts from a neighboring camp, and the Phattra Farm team—worked together with the foundation’s mahouts to guide the elephants with ropes to safety. The task was difficult, as the elephants and mahouts could barely communicate. By nightfall, they had rescued some of the female elephants, halting their mission at 7:30 p.m.
As for the male elephants, sedation was not possible while they were still in the water. The team discovered that none of the elephants had been trained, and some had a history of aggression towards humans. This raised questions about how to restrain or where to take the elephants once they were relocated, especially since they were unaccustomed to people or other elephants, each having been isolated in its own pen for a long time. However, the team found all the elephants to be in normal physical condition, except for Khun Detch, who had an injured front leg. They decided to use platforms to help the elephants prop themselves up with their trunks to prevent drowning, should the water level rise further. Based on the team's experience, elephants can float and remain in water for up to two days and one night in calm water without harm. The current inside the pens was still flowing but not as strong as in the river, so the elephants should be able to hold out for a while. The northern region’s waters typically rise and fall quickly, so it wasn’t expected that the floodwaters would remain for long. The team made rafts from banana trees to support the elephants, which also served as food and a water source for them. Special attention was given to Khun Detch.
Fortunately, by late afternoon that same day, the water levels began to recede, signaling that things would return to normal soon.
The next day, the water levels dropped further, leaving only low-lying areas submerged. The female elephants were moved to higher ground, while the male elephants remained in their pens, but all survived, though some showed signs of exhaustion. Restoring the elephants’ physical and mental health is crucial, as diseases can arise after flooding, and the elephants may have inhaled or ingested floodwater, soil, or contaminated food, all of which could lead to illness. The elephants' mental health may also be affected by the traumatic events and unfamiliar environment, requiring ongoing care and monitoring.
Before the disaster, there were 118 elephants in the camp. After the water receded, 106 female elephants and 10 male elephants remained, with 2 elephants lost and deceased.
Today, the rain has lightened, but if a similar situation occurs again, it is important for the camps and related parties to learn from this experience and prepare a response plan. Although domesticated elephants in Thailand are legally considered the property of their owners (under the Draught Animal Act), these incidents deeply affect the hearts of most Thai people. Many have stepped in to help, both directly and indirectly, and even high-ranking officials are closely monitoring the situation. Therefore, it is essential to remember that "elephants" are more than just property; they are invaluable treasures that belong to all Thai people.
P.S. Thanks to Khun Nam Nueng for the aerial photos.
