Tragic End to Elephant Relocation: ‘Sido Hoo-pub’ Dies En Route to Sanctuary
Thai wildlife officials launch a formal investigation into the death of a wild elephant during transport, with initial findings suggesting it choked
- A wild elephant named "Sido Hoo-pub" died during a relocation mission from Khon Kaen to a sanctuary in Loei province.
- The relocation was mandated by a court order for public safety after the elephant was involved in a fatal encounter with a person.
- Despite veterinary supervision, the elephant suffered a medical crisis; an initial assessment suggests it died from choking on food, pending a full necropsy.
- Thai wildlife officials have issued an apology and launched a formal investigation to review the operational procedures that led to the death.
Thai wildlife officials launch a formal investigation into the death of a wild elephant during transport, with initial findings suggesting it choked.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has issued a formal apology following the death of a wild elephant, known as "Sido Hoo-pub," during a high-stakes relocation mission.
The male elephant, aged between 15 and 20, died while being transported from Khon Kaen to a restoration area in Loei province.
A Legal and Safety Mandate
The relocation was not a discretionary move but was conducted under a temporary injunction from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court.
Sido Hoo-pub, originally from the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, had become a fixture in local agricultural areas.
Concerns for public safety reached a breaking point after the elephant was involved in a fatal encounter with a local resident.
The DNP stressed that the operation aimed to balance the protection of human life with the welfare of the animal by returning it to a more suitable natural habitat.
Officials noted that failing to act would have left them in contempt of court and the local community at continued risk.
Emergency Medical Intervention
Despite the presence of specialist veterinarians and the use of international transport protocols—including precise sedative dosing and constant monitoring of vital signs—the elephant suffered a "sudden physiological crisis" during the journey.
The convoy was halted immediately as medical teams attempted emergency resuscitation, including airway clearance and intravenous fluids.
However, their efforts proved unsuccessful. Initial assessments suggest the elephant may have suffocated after choking on food, though a full necropsy is required for confirmation.
Inquiry and Protocol Review
In a bid for transparency, the DNP has appointed an expert committee to conduct a systematic review of the entire operation. The investigation will include:
Pathological and Toxicological Testing: To determine if underlying health issues or chemical imbalances contributed to the death.
Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Specifically looking at pre-transport fasting requirements and health assessments.
Public Accountability: A pledge to release the full findings once the investigation concludes.
"We will take the lessons learned from this tragedy to refine our approach," a DNP spokesperson stated. "The challenge of managing human-elephant conflict remains immense, and we must ensure both public safety and animal welfare are protected more effectively in the future."
