Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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Nereus
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Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... rafficking

HUA HIN – A task force on wildlife trafficking has unearthed the bones of five elephants which they suspect are linked to the merging of wild animals into domestic populations.

The Phaya Sua task force excavated a site in Moo Baan Chang (elephant village) after it received a tip-off that dead elephants had been buried there without the knowledge of concerned authorities. 

In an expanded investigation into the assimilation of wild elephants in the Western forest complex, the team was tipped off that wildlife poachers had tranquilised wild elephants in Kaeng Krachan National Park in nearby Petchaburi province and transported them on vehicles to Moo Baan Chang, waiting to merge them with captive populations. However, some of the captured elephants died from an overdose of tranquilising agents and were buried. 

Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, chief of the Phaya Sua special task force, said Prakorb Chamnarnkij, the owner of Moo Baan Chang, had never reported a single dead elephant to authorities. Therefore a thorough examination would be needed to conclude if the elephant remains were linked to the elephant gang. 

The Phaya Sua task force, accompanied by forensic scientists, anti-graft officials and Department of Special Investigation officers, used backhoes to excavate five separate spots in Moo Baan Chang where they had been told the remains of dead elephants were buried.

The team made the first discovery at 1pm on Wednesday. They found skeleton remains of two elephants of unknown age buried three metres deep on the eastern side of the attraction’s tourist reception centre.  
Officials have held all of the staff for questioning.

The skeletal remains of the third elephant were discovered at 2.45pm about 200 metres from the first spot. The remains were of varying size and included many parts from the skull, leg and neck.
Mr Chaiwat said the remains were likely to have been buried for not less than two years. Excavation will continue at the sites. 

Thanya Netithammakul, head of the National Parks Department, will inspect the sites on Thursday to arrange a follow-up investigation.

The Phaya Sua unit was set up by Mr Thanya in May last year. Its main objective is to arrest major offenders and influential figures behind forest encroachment and wildlife trafficking, launching at least two cases each month. 
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Re: Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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So why not shut the place down. Arrest everyone there and take all the animals to a safe haven. Oh right TIT
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Re: Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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DNA tests begin on dead Hua Hin elephants

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -elephants

Wildlife experts expect to know within two weeks whether the remains of five elephants found buried at Hua Hin's elephant village were illegally captured in the wild, but in the meantime are still trying to trace the village's owner.

DNA testing of the remains found in four undocumented graves is now underway, officials of the Phaya Sua Task Force said on Thursday.

The task force, which tracks illegal wildlife traffickers, on Wednesday discovered the skeletal remains of four adult elephants and a calf on a property behind Wat I-Ti Sook To on Hua Hin-Nongplub Road, about 2.5 km from Hua Hun Market.
The temple had leased the land to Moo Baan Chang, the city’s first elephant village, which opened in 2000. 

Thanya Netithammakul, head of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said Thursday the remains were likely to have been buried for less than two years. One of the elephant carcasses was covered by monk’s robe and was not completely decomposed.

Mr Thanya said there was a heavy smell of anaesthesia at the pits. It led task force officials to believe that wildlife poachers had tranquilised wild elephants in the Western forest complex to capture and merge them with domestic populations or dissect them for body parts. Some may have died from an overdose of tranquilising agents.

Mr Thanya said the task force received a tip-off about dead wild elephants being buried at Moo Baan Chang on Dec 15. Officials hunted down witnesses who lead them to the burial site.

Mr Thanya said underground water at the site had helped to preserve the carcasses, making DNA testing easier. 
“We will work as quickly as we can in conducting DNA tests on all the unearthed elephants. The process is expected to take about two weeks.” 

Mr Thanya, who set up the Phaya Sua Task Force, said since May last year it had seized six elephants from Hua Hin Zoo, Moo Baan Chang in Hua Hin and Moo Baan Chang in Ratchaburi province. The elephants and the three attractions are owned by a 52-year-old businessman and former tourist guide, Prakorb Chamnarnkij. 

Meanwhile, soldiers from Thanarat Infantry Camp and Hua Hin police exercised their power under Section 44 of the interim constitution to search Mr Prakob’s home in La Vallee Light housing estate in tambon Hin Lek Fai of Hua Hin district.
The only people in the house were the caretaker and her child, but Mr Prakob's lawyer, who witnessed the search, was ordered to call the businessman. He could not reach him, and Mr Prakob’s whereabouts remain unknown as of Thursday evening.

The Department of Special Investigation is looking into the evidence collected by the task force to see if there are grounds to treat it as a special case.
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Re: Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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OK...they are still "investigating" this one so not going to jump the gun too much.......but doesn't look good.

Burying/hiding multiple elephant carcasses on the quiet at the back of some compound.......forgive my cynicism.
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Re: Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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As an aside.....whatever the outcome of this investigation, it's going to be hard to pull a positive spin on this story.
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Re: Elephant bones linked to wildlife trafficking in Hua Hin

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bert91157 wrote:So why not shut the place down. Arrest everyone there and take all the animals to a safe haven. Oh right TIT
How can they do that when the people said sorry.
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