Images of a wild bear lying dead on its back with four legs up by a road in the Khao Yai-Thap Lan National Park posted on a Facebook page of a wildlife researcher this morning have sparked an outpouring of comments from netizens angered and saddened by the loss of another wild animal from reckless driving.
The images were posted by “Anothai Boonkrathok”, who said he is an assistant researcher at the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai Wildlife Research Station.
“How many more lives will be lost at the hands of drivers who drive recklessly in Yao Yai-Thap Lan Corridor 304? Please be careful,” he asked.
Concerning this matter, local villagers on July 5 reported to the 2nd Park Management Zone of Khao Yai National Park that they found a bear lying dead near kilometre marker 220 on Highway 304 (Kabin Buri-Pak Thong Chai) in Tambon Buphram, Nadi district, Prachin Buri province.
On receiving the report, park officials, police from Wang Khon Daeng station, Viroj Jaitrong, the kamnan of Tambon Buphram, and a veterinarian went to the scene.
They found it was a male Himalayan bear, weighing about 150 kilogrammes. The bear was believed to have been hit by a ten-wheel truck.
The carcass was brought to the office of the 2nd Park Management Zone for examination.
Mr Viroj said the bear was from the Khao Yai National Park to forage for food. It was believed to have been hit and killed while crossing Highway 304 by a 10-wheel truck which fled the scene without reporting to the park officials.
