Attempts to find, save truck-hit elephant

CHACHOENGSAO, Feb 24 (TNA) – Officials of the Khao Ang Ruenai Wildlife Sanctuary were tracing a wild elephant that appeared severely injured after a pickup truck hit it on Road 3259 (Sanam Chai Khet-Sa Kaeo) in Tha Takiab district Thursday evening. Decha Nilwichian, head of the wildlife sanctuary, and his officials started the search from traces on the roadside adjacent to the hit area and proceeded deeper in the forest of the sanctuary. They also set up checkpoints to inform motorists of the incident for their safety. Tha Takiab district chief Kamolchaya Prasertsin said that after learning about the accident from police, she reported it to Chachoengsao governor Suwit Khamdee and coordinated the search attempt with the head of the wildlife sanctuary. She prepared a team of veterinarians who can start treatment just when officials find the elephant. Jamras Promjan, the 46-year-old driver of the pickup truck, said he was shocked for seeing three elephants playing on the road while he was heading for his home in Sa Kaeo province. He tried to steer his truck away from the elephants but hit one of them. His truck went off the road and he and his friend were injured. He said he heard the hit elephant crying and saw it walking into the jungle. (TNA)