The heartbreaking tale of rescued elephants now drowning in Thailand floods

Several provinces in Thailand braced for floods last weekend after the Irrigation Department announced it was releasing water from a major dam after weeks of frequent heavy rain.

The rain stopped in the northern city of Chiang Mai, a popular destination for tourists, but many people, especially the elderly, remained cut off by floodwaters that in some areas were waist-high or more.

Members of the animal world faced similar threats.

While hundreds of elephants were evacuated along with dozens of tourists, two of them were killed due to the flash floods.

Here’s all we know about them.

Two rescued elephants killed

Two female elephants, named Faa Sai and Ploy Thong, died by drowning at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, despite efforts to get the stranded animals out after it was flooded by rapid currents.

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The two were confirmed dead following the “catastrophic flooding,” the Elephant National Park in Chiang Mai said in a statement. While most of the 125 elephants were led to safety, a few who escaped on their own to seek higher ground are still missing.

The park houses around 3,000 rescued animals, including 125 elephants, 800 dogs, 2,500 cats, 200 rabbits and 200 cows. According to Saengduean Chailert, director of the sanctuary, many of the elephants are blind or have physical injuries, making it more difficult for them to escape and hindering evacuation efforts.

“Among the evacuated animals, there are many sick elephants, some barely walk. We had to help them to get to the foot of the mountain. We are in desperate need for help,” she told CNN.

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By Friday, the Ping River, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, began overrunning its banks and gushing water filled the park.

The evacuation at the park started on Thursday after it received a flood warning. The rescue operation was also hindered by the strong currents, which made some roads to the park inaccessible, and the lack of phone signal. While rescuers considered giving sedatives to the animals, the move would have been risky since their trunks could have dropped into the already high water levels, it was reported.

In a video shared by the park on Facebook, Saengduean was seen crying and mourning over the dead body of one of the elephants. She said Faa Sai and Ploy Thong were “found approximately one kilometre downstream from the park, having succumbed to drowning. We deeply appreciate the outpouring of kind words and support during this time of mourning and crisis."

Blind Ploy Thong, who had previously worked in the logging industry, was saved in 2018 from an elephant riding camp in Pattaya, according to Elephant Nature Park. According to the sanctuary, she was carried away by the water and lost her herd during the flood. A video appeared to show other elephants waiting for her as she lagged behind.

“Tragically, Ploy Thong lost her herd during the flood, and despite the diligent efforts of her caretaker, she was swept away by the raging river,” the park said.

Faa Sai was rescued in November 2007, and showed aggressive behaviour as a result of being traumatised by the “elephant crushing” method, where elephants are tamed. “Faa Sai ventured close to the river despite the concerted efforts of our team to keep her safe, and tragically, she too was taken by the current,” the sanctuary said.

Thailand floods

Flooding was reported in 20 Thai provinces on Saturday, mostly in the north.

At least 49 people have died and 28 were injured in floods since August, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said. In Chiang Mai, three people have died in the floods, including a 44-year-old man who was electrocuted and a 33-year-old woman who died in a mudslide.

Areas popular with tourists, such as the city’s Night Bazaar and Tha Pae Gate, were under as much as a metre (3 1/3 feet) of water.

Dozens of shelters were set up across the city to accommodate residents whose homes were flooded. The Chiang Mai city government said the water level of the Ping River, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, was at critically high levels and has been rising since Friday.

Chiang Mai Gov. Nirat Pongsitthavorn said that the latest flooding, the second in six weeks, exceeded expectations.

Northern Thailand, and neighbouring countries, have been hit by severe floods over recent weeks, with Typhoon Yagi last month worsening the seasonal monsoon rains.

Water has begun to recede, it was reported on Monday, however, several key roads remain closed and many homes are still cut off by the waters.

Bangkok and provinces in the central region of Thailand have also been warned of possible floods due to rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River.

Residents in parts of Nonthaburi, which borders Bangkok, have been advised to move their belongings to higher grounds and use sandbags to protect their homes.

With inputs from agencies