A wild banteng at Thap Lan National Park, emaciated and unable to rise from a kneeling position, has died. Medical personnel are preparing to investigate the cause of death.
After villagers found the banteng lying near the forest edge behind Thung Takhian Temple in Ban Thung Takhian, Village No. 10, Khok Krachai Subdistrict, Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, it appeared so thin that its spine was clearly visible but it did not move or flee. This occurred in the evening of 21 Sept 2023. They reported the sighting to Samran Setkrathok, the village headman, and officials from Thap Lan National Park, who then inspected and closely monitored the banteng’s condition to gather information for the veterinary team preparing to assist.
At approximately 06:40 today (22 Sept 2023), the monitoring team reported that the banteng had died. It showed slight movement from its original spot, apparently turning to face back into the forest, lying prostrate on its knees with its front legs folded and hind legs tightly bent over the left leg, a posture locally known as paying respect to the forest.
A preliminary visual examination found no abnormalities on the banteng’s body. Its sex could not be determined because it was sitting on its genital area. Experts will need to conduct an autopsy. It is known only that the banteng was fully grown but unusually emaciated.
Officials have cordoned off the area around where the banteng died with rope, awaiting the veterinary team to conduct the formal autopsy procedures.