Officials are urgently assisting "Ta Wan," an elephant at Khao Ang Rue Nai, found injured in the forest. Veterinary teams are providing close care and administering medicine through fruit. The elephant is responding positively to treatment, but her condition requires ongoing monitoring.
On 13 February 2026 at 14:50, reporters updated on the rescue of the injured wild mother elephant from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, nicknamed "Ta Wan" by officials. Her overall condition has improved; she is able to eat food and medicine mixed with fruit as planned. However, veterinarians continue to monitor her closely due to her being in a watchful condition.
The incident began on 12 February 2026 when the Office of Conservation Area Management Region 2 (Sriracha), through its wildlife conservation division, received an urgent report from the head of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary. A severely injured mother elephant was found in Ban Non Somporn, Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province. A veterinary and relevant official team were immediately deployed to provide assistance.
This operation involved collaboration among several agencies: Office of Conservation Area Management Region 2 (Sriracha), Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Rapid Response Unit 3 for wild elephant monitoring, Wildlife Rescue Center 2 (Krapuk Koo), Chong Klam Bon Wildlife Breeding Station, local administrative authorities, and volunteer wild elephant watchers in the area.
Upon examination, the veterinary team found the wild elephant to be female, approximately 40 years old or older, weighing around 2,000–2,500 kilograms. She appeared quite thin, scoring about 2–2.5 out of 5 on body condition. She had a severe injury on her left front thigh with obvious swelling and inflammation, unable to bear normal weight, constantly bending her ankle. She also alternated between standing, squatting, and lying still at times, indicating significant pain. Additionally, bruising and a clear fluid mixed with blood were found at the base of her left mammary gland.
Arun Pongphaitoon, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division, stated that the Wildlife Health Management Department was assigned to coordinate with related agencies for urgent initial treatment. The veterinary team administered medicine through fruit, which the mother elephant fully consumed, and she is responding well to the treatment.
Currently, officials from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, together with local administrators and volunteers, have arranged a team to monitor the mother elephant’s condition around the clock. They continuously assess her status and are preparing to adjust the treatment plan to suit her physical condition. Any new developments will be reported periodically.