Summary of the viral death of a Phu Luang wild elephant during relocation, leading to calls that “Sida Hoo Pub” must not have died in vain.
Following the tragic death of “Sida Hoo Pub,” a wild elephant that died during relocation from Khon Kaen Province back to the Phu Luang wild elephant restoration project area in Loei Province—to manage and modify its aggressive behavior—a public debate and demand has arisen that “Sida Hoo Pub” must not have died in vain.
Regarding the background of “Sida Hoo Pub,” he was a male wild elephant (without tusks), approximately 15–20 years old, originally from Phu Luang National Park in Loei Province. He and his herd moved into Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen Province, frequently foraging in local farmers' sugarcane and cassava fields. Officials monitored and pushed the elephants back into the forest when they approached communities too closely.
Because this area overlaps human settlements and wildlife habitats, a tragic incident occurred when two villagers died. The first was in August 2025 in Ban Non Sung, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen Province. The second victim, a 62-year-old man, was warned in advance by officials that elephants would pass through and was asked to leave his granary, but he remained, leading to the fatal incident.
Following these losses, on 30 September 2025, six villagers from Si Chomphu District filed a lawsuit at the Khon Kaen Administrative Court, requesting the Department of National Parks to control the elephants and prevent them from leaving the conservation area. The court issued a temporary injunction ordering the relocation of four elephants (Hoo Pub, Nga Jeeo, Kuthang, and Sida Noi) to a suitable area within 30 days.
On the night of 3 February 2026, officials conducted the relocation operation using tranquilizer darts. However, an unexpected event occurred when Sida Hoo Pub had seizures and died during the process. On 4 February 2026, the Department of National Parks explained that they followed the court’s order and would face legal consequences if they did not comply. The preliminary cause of death was suspected to be related to food aspiration, but the final autopsy results are pending.
Most recently, on 11 February 2026, the public gathered to demand justice for “Sida Hoo Pub,” calling for Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, to take responsibility by resigning. Meanwhile, the department has appointed a committee to investigate the facts and is gathering related evidence and data.