In a life-or-death moment, officials from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary integrated rescue efforts with excavator support to save a wild elephant that had fallen into a deep septic pit in Khao Cha Mao District, Rayong Province. The elephant was safely brought out and has run back into the forest.
On 11 September 2026, the Facebook pageof the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservationshared footage of an urgent rescue operation by Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary staff working with the local community and rescue teams, using an excavator to dig open the edge of an old septic pit to save a wild elephant trapped in Khao Cha Mao District, Rayong Province.
Sukhi Boonsang, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division, revealed he received a report from Ekachai Saendee, head of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, stating that at 08:30 on 11 September 2026, Rapid Response Team 6 for wild elephant monitoring and deterrence at the sanctuary was alerted by Khao Cha Mao-Khao Wong National Park officials about a wild elephant that had fallen into an old septic pit near Ban Khao Ngo, Village No. 2, Huai Thap Mon Subdistrict, Khao Cha Mao District, Rayong.
Upon notification, officials promptly inspected the area and coordinated with Suksan (a local village headman), volunteer networks, and rescue personnel from Khao Cha Mao District, bringing in an excavator to dig and reshape the pit edge into a sloped path to assist the elephant. Thanks to strong cooperation, at 09:29 the elephant was able to stand and walk out safely before running back into the conservation forest. Afterward, officials conducted community outreach to raise awareness among nearby villagers about living harmoniously near the forest.
Sukhi Boonsang added that the mission succeeded quickly due to timely reporting and strong cooperation from community leaders, rescue personnel, and local residents who professionally handled the situation. As a result, the wild elephant was unharmed and safely returned to nature. He expressed gratitude to all parties involved in the operation.
The Department of National Parks has ordered rapid response teams to increase patrols and monitoring of wild elephants leaving protected areas continuously. It also coordinates with local administrative organizations to urgently survey old and hazardous structures near forest boundaries for removal or burial to prevent future harm to wildlife. Residents who spot injured wildlife or animals outside conservation zones can report them 24/7 via the Department of National Parks hotline 1362.
Thanks to information from the Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation