Thailand Park Ties Third Death to Bull Elephant Oyewan as Officials Weigh Next Steps

Overview

• The fatal trampling occurred before dawn at Khao Yai National Park while the victim was near a campsite, and the spouse escaped after guards drove the elephant off.
• Park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong said this is the third death attributed to Oyewan and noted possible links to other unresolved cases under review.
• Guards reported the bull was in musth, a period when males can become unusually aggressive.
• Authorities say options on the table include translocation or measures intended to modify the elephant’s behavior.
• Officials report more than 220 people have died in encounters with wild elephants since 2012, as the population rose from about 334 in 2015 to nearly 800 last year, prompting contraceptive programs and renewed safety concerns, including a tourist’s death at a southern sanctuary in January.