Visits to Phu Kradueng National Park by the public have been suspended after the wild elephant that attacked and killed a tourist was found still wandering in the area.
Approximately 500 tourists are being evacuated from the park and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will assign veterinarians to handle the situation.
The department’s Director General, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, stated that the wild elephant, which killed a 49-year-old woman on Wednesday morning, appeared to be in musth.
Having survived an initial attack, the tourist reportedly died after the elephant returned to attack her a second time, on a footpath between the Phra Buddha Metta statue and the Pop Mai waterfall.
“That wild elephant is still in the area. So, for safety reasons, a temporary closure of the park has been put in place. Officials and wildlife researchers will work to control the elephant,” Atthaphon said.
The park will be reopened only when safety is assured, the director general added, noting that no timeline has been set.
"This is the first time that wild elephants in Phu Kradueng National Park have attacked tourists, he added. He plans to visit the site on Monday and he said that tourists who have booked a visit will be compensated in line with the regulations.
