A an old sign at the summit of Khao Ruak being swallowed by the tree.
Mai Yuk Ranger Station- Thong Pha Phum National Park — with Ádám Molnár.
A small project that FWFCC and Seaeco had earlier initiated was the purchase and installation of a solar panel and batteries for Rangers at the Mai Yuk Station. Previously there had been no lights or way to charge cell phones.
We've arrived near where the incident took place. A few old growth trees from the old growth forest remain in local village farms, now mostly planted with pineapple and rubber trees.
The incident occurred in the early evening. Several elephants were walking around and near the open style Karen bamboo house. The couple staying there were afraid and decided to make a run...it was a mistake. This photo was taken near the neighboring house where the elderly woman ran for safety. She was met by a mother elephant and baby, the mother, in defense, gave a swift and powerful kick. In the foreground you'll notice a light area of soil where the mother elephant placed her powerful kick, ending the woman's life.
Our trusty truck-Moonliner winds its way up the Khao Ruak Road, a steep, rocky, treacherous, rutted and dry road. It becomes a nightmare if it rains. Signs of elephants...yep one big dung pile. — with Ádám Molnár.
Several kilometers into the forest, we've stopped at the Khao Ruak Ranger Station and delivered drinking water. During the dry season, water is difficult to find. My good friend Ádám Molnár had recently arrived from Hungary. — with Ádám Molnár.
One bite at the stem and the pineapple is free and the leaves removed. It's going to be a bigger problem next year as the elephants will return..."memory of an elephant" is real and next year they will eat the entire crop. So, what to do? Likely the best solution is to change the crop, but being used to doing things a certain way, makes it more difficult to change people's views, ideas and ways.
Fresh elephant tracks...likely from last night. Pineapples here were just harvested, so the tracks are easy to see in newly turned soil.
On the top of the mountain, the Khao Ruak Forest Protection Shrine, we stop and pay respect.
It's the dry season and the elephants are looking for two things...over 200 liters of water per day per full grown elephant and of course food. Many cisterns in the neighboring rubber plantations are destroyed in their search for water. Ultimately, this crop of pineapples is tasty and perfect for them. Already they have trampled some of the plants and have begun eating. No doubt they'll be back tonight.
"Just a taste" or perhaps a heavy side step, this ranger takes a look...
A fallen tree allows little room for our truck and passengers to slide through. Note the single trail on this so called Road, single because of only motorcycle traffic. No recent signs of 4 wheel traffic...
Formerly Plantation, this area, as well as what's ahead of us, was assigned to Sai Yok National Park several years ago
We've returned the following day with food and drinking water to support Rangers from Sai Yok National Park, Thong Pha Phum National Park and a Forest Protection Unit from the Royal Forestry Department. One ranger shows me a photo of a ferocious male elephant who has overturned a vehicle. They are identified by their ear patterns, this one has a hole in its ear. And now these experienced Rangers ... See more — with Ádám Molnár.