The Royal Thai Army has helped rescue over 100 elephants and hundreds of cats and dogs at the Elephant and Environment Conservation Foundation center in Chiang Mai after the Mae Taeng River overflowed its banks and flooded the elephant sanctuary.
The foundation’s staff rushed to evacuate hundreds of animals, including more than 100 elephants, from the elephant care center to higher ground. Ms. Saengduean Chailert, the center’s director, posted a picture of the drastic situation on her Facebook page, asking for immediate help from government officials.
The Royal Thai Army coordinated with various agencies, including the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang Province, to dispatch personnel and equipment needed for the evacuation.
The 7th Infantry Division also worked to establish a communication network because all telephone systems in the area had been cut off due to flooding and landslides. Villagers in Ban Muang Kuet and Tambon Kuet Chang were evacuated from the area; however, elephants, farm animals, and pets remained in need of rescue.
Elephants Rescued from the Elephant Care Center
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told reporters that 120 elephants were in total. Of these, 50 had been brought to safety by Elephant Foundation staff and volunteers. The remaining 70 were still in hard-to-reach areas that had been flooded.
He stated that even though elephants enjoy being in the water, staying in it too long can cause health problems. Some of the elephants are fragile from years of abuse in the tourism trade and from being used for illegal logging.
Mr. Atthaphon said the rescue efforts were being hampered because the roads leading to the Elephant and Environment Conservation Foundation center were heavily flooded.
The Royal Thai Army has supplied a large motorboat to support the mahouts in leading the elephants out.
He mentioned that if the water level drops, large trucks can enter the area to assist in the evacuation. As for farm animals and pets, rescue workers and the Royal Volunteer Soldiers are helping evacuate them to safety.
Ms. Saengduean Chailert, Director of the Elephant Care Center, said volunteers can contact the center at 053-272855, 098-6566685, and 064-44688989. People wishing to donate can visit their website at https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/how-you-can-help
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