Elephant Dies in Rice Field After Contacting Electric Fence in Phulung Wildlife Sanctuary

Key summary

A male Asian elephant, estimated to be over 10 years old, was found dead in a rice paddy near Wang Sapung district, Loei province. The animal had been feeding on crops when it contacted an electric fence installed by the landowner to deter wildlife. Officials from the Phulung Wildlife Sanctuary confirmed the death occurred more than five hours prior to their arrival and noted that the elephant's trunk still held electrical wire while its mouth remained clamped onto a rice stalk. While the owner stated the system was intended to be a low-voltage deterrent, investigators are examining whether the current strength caused the fatal shock.