This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On October 4, 2019, Thai authorities were called to the Haew Narok waterfall in Khao Yai National Park after a group of elephants blocked a road.
Three hours later, the bodies of six elephants were discovered near the base of the waterfall, including a three-year-old elephant.
According to Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, the elephants may have died while attempting to save each other.
Wiek noted that elephants rely on their large herds for protection and finding food, and that the two rescued elephants may have difficulty surviving.
Haew Narok, also known as Hell's Fall, has a history of similar incidents.
With around 7,000 Asian elephants remaining in Thailand, more than half living in captivity, the loss of these elephants is a significant blow to the species.
Edwin Wiek's quote on the incident is as follows: "It's like losing half your family, there's nothing you can do, it's nature unfortunately."
