NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 15 (TNA) – A wild elephant stomped to death a man, 80, while he was sleeping in his tent at the Khao Yai National Park.
The incident happened on the Pha Kluai Mai camping ground. The dead man was identified as Prayote Jitboon, a native of Muang district in Samut Prakan province.
Park officials said 47 tourists camped there last night. The elderly man had arrived alone on his car and stayed at the park for the second night.
Late last night a 30-year-old male elephant called “Chao Due” (stubborn one) crossed a road from a forest area to the campsite and stomped Prayote in the presence of shocked visitors.
The chief of the Khao Yai National Park said the elephant with long tusks might be in rut. Besides, it was the first elephant there attached with a tracking collar and thus might feel annoyed.
Pha Kluai Mai and Lam Ta Khong campsites were closed for park rangers to observe the behaviors of wild elephants after the incident. (TNA)
