Rangers defend beheading of Mae Mali
Park rangers have defended their actions in cutting off the head of “Mae Mali”, a mature female gaur who died in Bang Lang National Park in Yala.
It was done to protect a valuable state resource, said Kanjana Nitaya Wildlife Conservation Bureau director of the National Parks Department.
The removal of Mae Mali’s head has become a controversial topic on social media, and was opposed by many Facebook users.
Mae Mali was well known for roaming the forest of the Southern province and was admired for her fertility and almost perfect body.
But in recent days, she had become stuck in mud. Rangers, military officers and villagers went to her aid but she was extremely exhausted after being trapped for several days.
The gaur, also known as an Indian bison, eventually died.
While the villagers and military agreed to bury her nearby, park rangers chopped Mae Mali’s head off and took it back to their office.
Kanjana said they were obliged to do so under the National Parks Act as the animal’s antlers could be valuable to poachers. Instead, the head will be used as an educational tool for park visitors.
