Profile "Sidao Hoo Pub" Phu Luang wild elephant and former social media favorite troublemaker, tragically died suddenly during relocation to the Phu Luang wild elephant food restoration project in Loei Province. The suspected cause is food aspiration.
Regarding the heartbreaking news of the wild elephant "Sidao Hoo Pub" dying during relocation from Khon Kaen Province to the Phu Luang wild elephant food restoration project in Loei Province, intended to manage behavior to prevent aggression and to stop the elephant from returning to forage in Khon Kaen after a fatal attack on a villager in 2025.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation expressed deep condolences over the loss of the wild elephant and to the family of the deceased, and appointed a committee to investigate all procedures to determine the cause of death of "Sidao Hoo Pub," as previously reported.
"Sidao Hoo Pub" was a male wild elephant approximately 15-20 years old, originally living in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary in Loei Province. Later, it moved to forage in agricultural areas around Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province, including Phu Wiang National Park, frequently approaching communities and raiding local farms.
Many social media users fondly recall "Sidao Hoo Pub" as a young elephant playing mischievously with a friend named Phlai Nga Jiow, running through a local sugarcane field. When officials arrived to herd them back, both elephants hid in the cane fields, creating a viral moment that endeared them to many.
In 2023, the Department of National Parks shared charming images of the two elephants, "Big Brother Sidao" and "Little Brother Nga Jiow," as they began returning to Loei Province after moving back and forth between Si Chomphu District, Khon Kaen, and Si Bun Rueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province.
In 2025, "Sidao Hoo Pub" fatally injured a villager in Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province, prompting officials to plan the elephant's relocation to protect the community.
The Department of National Parks clarified that the relocation of "Sidao Hoo Pub" followed a temporary protection order from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court, a legally binding directive. Non-compliance would constitute contempt of court, potentially leading to criminal penalties for responsible officials.
Furthermore, failure to act would leave local residents continuously at risk to their lives and property. Therefore, the Department is legally obligated to relocate the wild elephant, adhering to legal frameworks, social responsibility, and wildlife welfare principles.
The relocation mission occurred on 3 Feb 2026 (B.E. 2569). Officials from the Protected Areas Regional Office 8 (Khon Kaen), along with over 200 personnel and wildlife experts from the Department of National Parks, conducted the operation to move the elephant to the Phu Luang wild elephant food restoration project under the royal initiative in Phu Luang District, Loei Province.
The park authorities carefully prepared, employing international standards: establishing a multi-agency command center; using expert veterinarians and caretakers; calculating anesthesia dosages based on the elephant's weight and condition; continuously monitoring vital signs such as respiration, pulse, and body temperature; and positioning the elephant to minimize pressure on respiratory pathways.
Despite thorough preparations, during transit the elephant suffered a sudden physiological crisis. The veterinary team immediately halted the convoy and applied emergency medical protocols including airway clearance, intravenous fluids, and temperature regulation. Unfortunately, efforts to save the elephant were unsuccessful.
Preliminary assessment suggests food aspiration as a possible cause. However, detailed autopsy results are awaited to confirm the exact cause. Meanwhile, the Department of National Parks has taken the following actions:
1. Appointed a committee of experts to systematically review all operational procedures.
2. Conducted a thorough autopsy examining bodily systems, including pathological and toxicological analysis.
3. Reviewed and improved operational standards for capturing and relocating wildlife, focusing on pre-relocation health assessment, fasting protocols, and emergency response plans.
4. Committed to transparent public reporting once the investigation is complete.