The founder of Rom Dan Chang confirmed that "Phang Aem," a disabled and timid elephant swept away by a flash flood in Chiang Mai, has been found and successfully rescued ashore. A detailed medical examination is underway. The mahout revealed that the flood came quickly, and there was no time to escape.
Updates on the case of the elephant swept away by the flash flood in the Maewin area, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province: following heavy rain and flash floods, mahouts, villagers, and rescue teams have mobilized to search for the elephant with deep concern.
At approximately 15:00 on 19 Sep 2016, Mr. Theeraphat Trangprakan, founder of Rom Dan Chang and president of the Thai Elephant Federation, reported that the search team found the elephant that had been swept away. They confirmed that this elephant is “Phang Aem,” a disabled female with a front leg injury, who was carried downstream by the flash flood. The rescue team successfully brought Phang Aem ashore. She is currently resting and regaining composure to reduce fear from the recent ordeal before undergoing a detailed medical examination to assess any injuries caused by the flood.
Meanwhile, the Elephant and Wildlife Health Center at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine stated that Phang Aem is a 13-year-old female elephant, familiar to the veterinary team who regularly cares for her. She is known to be quite timid.
According to the elephant’s owner, she was brought down to bathe in the Wang River in the morning. However, the water level rose rapidly, preventing her from returning to the original shore, and she was swept away by the current.
It was later found that the elephant managed to come ashore on the opposite side of the river, easing everyone's concern. Initial assessments show the elephant is alert, able to stand normally, with no signs of leg injury or other worrying abnormalities.