Flooding claims lives of two elephants at Thai sanctuary

A devastating flood in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, has resulted in the tragic deaths of two elephants, Fah Sai and Ploy Thong, at a sanctuary.

The facility was inundated with nearly five-meter-high floodwaters, sweeping the elephants away.

Fah Sai, 16, was described by Sangduean Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, as “playful” and a “strong swimmer.” In contrast, 40-year-old Ploy Thong was blind, making navigation difficult.

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“Normally, she follows the sound of her friends’ footsteps and the mahout’s voice, since she can’t see. When the water came, she couldn’t save herself,” Chailert said.

Ploy Thong was rescued by Chailert at age three from street begging and had lived at the sanctuary among over 100 elephants and thousands of other abandoned, sick, and disabled animals.

The bodies of the two elephants were found roughly five kilometers downstream, amidst debris. Chailert has buried them near the site, planting pink trumpet trees as a symbol of remembrance.

Chiang Mai experienced widespread flooding after its main river burst its banks due to heavy rainfall. Multiple sanctuaries were evacuated, with around ten animal shelters affected. Interestingly, teams of elephants assisted relief efforts, using their size to reach residents cut off by severe flooding.