Overview
- The victim, identified as 65-year-old Jirathachai Jiraphatboonyathorn from Lopburi province, was killed during a morning walk when the bull known as Oyewan attacked, according to park officials.
- Park rangers drove the elephant away, allowing the victim’s wife to escape unharmed, the Khao Yai national park chief said.
- Authorities say Oyewan has been linked to three deaths and may be connected to other unsolved fatalities, prompting an urgent management review.
- Park leaders will meet Friday to choose between moving the animal out of the area or attempting targeted behavior-change measures.
- Thailand has recorded more than 220 human deaths from encounters with wild elephants since 2012 as the population grew from about 334 in 2015 to nearly 800 last year, leading to contraceptive vaccines for some females.