A wild elephant at Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary died from muscle damage following an attack by other elephants, an autopsy found, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said.
The carcass of "Phlai Nga Bit" was found this week in a community forest in Tha Takiap district of Chachoengsao. It had begun to decompose, suggesting the elephant had been dead for at least seven days.
Pitak Yingyong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office under Protected Area Regional Office 2, said the male elephant, aged about 40, was found with abrasions and a fractured right hind thigh bone, with the bone protruding through the skin.
The autopsy showed that capture myopathy, a condition involving muscle damage that can occur in wild animals under severe physical stress, was the cause of death.
He said veterinarians and wildlife officials had been treating the elephant since March this year. Its condition improved and by May it was able to walk and forage normally with its herd.
However, officials found the elephant began limping again on Sept 17 and administered additional medication on Sept 23. Attacks by other elephants were believed to aggravate the injury and lead to death.
He said officials removed and cleaned both tusks for safekeeping, in accordance with government regulations, before handing them over to the DNP. He added that they would dispose of the carcass properly when weather conditions improved.
Both tusks of the wild elephant "Phlai Nga Bit" have been removed and cleaned for safekeeping. (Photo: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation)