Thailand: Over 100 elephants evacuated from sanctuary as flooding worsens

Over 100 elephants are evacuated from a popular elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand (Photo: https://www.thestar.com.my/)

Flash floods hitting the sanctuary on October 3 also trapped many tourists.

The park’s founder Saengduean "Lek" Chailert said this is the worst flooding the park has ever experienced and the biggest evacuation have ever been done.

The situation worsened on October 4 with rising water levels, prompting Saengduean to request urgent help from Thai authorities.

Located in Chiang Mai, the elephant nature park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre which houses rescued elephants, including some that are blind and have physical injuries. The park falls under the remit of the Save the Elephant Foundation, one of Thailand’s biggest elephant conservation non-governmental organisations.

Northern Thailand has suffered severe flooding and landslides in recent weeks due to torrential rains following Typhoon Yagi. Chiang Mai's authorities have issued a flood warning, as the Ping River, which flows through the city, rose to dangerous levels./.