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Six elephants die trying to save each other at Thai waterfall | Six elephants die trying to save each other at Thai waterfall |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Six elephants have fallen to their deaths in Thailand while trying to save each other from a notorious waterfall. | Six elephants have fallen to their deaths in Thailand while trying to save each other from a notorious waterfall. |
Officials said the incident occurred after a baby elephant slipped over the waterfall in central Thailand's Khao Yai National Park. | |
Two other elephants were also found struggling on a cliff edge nearby, and have been moved by Thai authorities. | |
The waterfall, known as Haew Narok (Hell's Fall), has a history of similar incidents. | |
A herd of eight elephants died after falling in 1992, in a case that brought national attention. | |
Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said officials were called to the scene on Saturday at 03:00 local time (20:00 GMT on Friday) when a group of elephants was blocking a road by the waterfall. | Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said officials were called to the scene on Saturday at 03:00 local time (20:00 GMT on Friday) when a group of elephants was blocking a road by the waterfall. |
Three hours later, the body of a three-year-old elephant was spotted near the base of Haew Narok, and five others were discovered nearby. | Three hours later, the body of a three-year-old elephant was spotted near the base of Haew Narok, and five others were discovered nearby. |
Khanchit Srinoppawan, chief of the national park, told the BBC that the two remaining elephants were being monitored. | |
Edwin Wiek, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, said the pair may have difficulty surviving as elephants rely on their large herds for protection and finding food. | |
The incident could also take an emotional toll. Elephants have been known to display signs of grief. | The incident could also take an emotional toll. Elephants have been known to display signs of grief. |
"It's like losing half your family," Mr Wiek told the BBC. | "It's like losing half your family," Mr Wiek told the BBC. |
"There's nothing you can do, it's nature unfortunately," he said. | "There's nothing you can do, it's nature unfortunately," he said. |
Around 7,000 Asian elephants remain in Thailand, with more than half living in captivity. | Around 7,000 Asian elephants remain in Thailand, with more than half living in captivity. |