Authorities convene meeting to curb gaur killings
Meetings to solve conflicts between local farmers and wild gaurs have begun after three of the animals were killed near the Khao Phaeng Ma wildlife sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Wichien Chantharanothai summoned the Wang Nam Khieo district sheriff, local police, the Pak Chong district sheriff, a representative from the Khao Phaeng Ma wildlife sanctuary, a representative from Thap Lan National Park National Park, a representative from Khao Yai National Park and business sector representatives to a meeting at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Wang Nam Khieo District on Monday.
Wichien said the participants were trying to agree on mutually beneficial solutions to solve chronic problems between farmers and wild gaurs and establish protections banning hunting the animal.
Gaurs are on the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department’s protected wild animal list, with killing one punishable by four years in jail, a Bt40,000 fine or both.
Police said they were searching for the hunters, while investigators suspected that local farmers were responsible for the two animals that were found dead on Sunday. However they did not rule out that poachers could have been responsible.