A different perspective on "Sido Hup Folded Ear" urges caution against rushing to conclusions about the cause of death amid misunderstandings regarding "age and sedative injection." Officials confirm that the remaining elephants have not yet been relocated and ask for patience until the committee issues a final decision.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has provided explanations regarding actions taken under a temporary protection order from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court concerning the capture and relocation of the wild elephant "Sido Hup Folded Ear" and three other elephants in the herd. Local agencies have continuously submitted reports to the court to clarify operational constraints and potential risks, as this mission is complex and requires careful adherence to scientific principles.
This case began when six residents of Khon Kaen province filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court on 30 Sep 2025 after suffering from wild elephants leaving the conservation area, causing two deaths and two injuries between 2024 and 2025. Subsequently, the Khon Kaen Administrative Court issued a temporary protection order in case number 162/2568 dated 4 Nov 2025, setting pre-judgment protective measures.
The order required the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, as the defendant, to capture and relocate four wild elephants—"Ngajio, Kutang, Hup Folded, and Sido Noi"—from the problem area to suitable locations within 30 days of receiving the order, with individual reports to the court upon completion.
Following the order, the Office of Protected Area Administration 8 (Khon Kaen) prepared a report for the court detailing the operational plan, capture and relocation procedures, conditions of the origin and recipient areas, relocation routes, personnel readiness, equipment, and veterinary processes.
The report explained that capturing and relocating wild elephants is a high-risk task because it requires sedation and control during transport, necessitating a large team of veterinarians and specialized staff.
On 11 Feb 2026, a group of citizens and animal welfare advocates gathered in front of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to demand justice for "Sido Hup Folded Ear," the wild elephant that died during the relocation mission. The demonstration was intense, with protesters holding signs stating "Hup Folded Must Not Die in Vain" and shouting calls for Director-General Atthaphon Charoenchansa to take responsibility by resigning.
Amid calls for departmental accountability, the “Thairath Online Special News Team” inquired with sources who revealed that an appeal regarding the capture and relocation of the remaining three elephants is currently under consideration. Regarding "Sido Hup Folded Ear," on 11 Feb 2026, a fact-finding committee was appointed and is gathering relevant evidence and information.
Regarding the death of "Sido Hup Folded Ear" and suspicions of sedative overdose, standard sedation practices involve administering the drug in multiple injections step by step because wild elephants cannot fast like other animals. After the operation, veterinarians always administer an antidote to reverse sedation; in this case, "Sido Hup Folded Ear" was given such an antidote.
Some information circulated on social media may cause misunderstandings because working with wild elephants is complex and requires specialized techniques. The sedative dosage is calculated as a total dose based on the animal's weight and condition, not simply by the number of injections used.
Veterinarians examined and measured "Sido Hup Folded Ear" to calculate its weight precisely and found the actual weight did not differ from the estimated weight used to calculate the sedative dosage before the operation. However, the cause of death may relate to individual factors, as each elephant's response to sedation or stress from relocation can vary. The appointed committee is currently investigating the facts.
Regarding observations that moving the elephant's body involved as many as 200 personnel, relocating wild elephants requires a large workforce to ensure safety and minimize physical impact on the animal. Each rope pull is closely controlled to coordinate front and rear leg movements, preventing loss of balance or falls that could cause further injury. Using many personnel is a standard approach to reduce risks and severity during relocation.
Social media claims that "Sido Hup Folded Ear" was only five years old are incorrect. Officials estimate the elephant's age at about 15–20 years, based on behavior and physical characteristics.
Sources explained that male elephants typically separate from their herd around 15–20 years old, reaching sexual maturity or full adulthood. This elephant had shown musth behavior, which helped estimate its age. Additionally, this elephant had tusks—it is not a tuskless "Sido" elephant. Its tusks are simply short, which may have caused some confusion about its physical traits.
The source expressed sympathy for the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, noting that all procedures and recommendations from the field team were strictly followed. The case had to be completed within the 30-day timeframe set by the court, limiting the operation time.
However, after the unexpected incident, public demands for accountability from senior officials increased. The source believes that all facts and operational contexts should be thoroughly considered to ensure fairness for all involved parties.
Initially, there is understanding of the intentions and sympathy for the loss, as everyone mourns the incident. However, the source urges waiting for the committee's fact-finding results, which will be used to inform the public in due course.