Authorities Search for Tiger After Park Employee Killed in Thailand

UTHAITHANI, Aug 6 (TNA) - Thai authorities have launched a search for a wild tiger after a park ranger was killed early Wednesday morning in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

Colleagues reported Sakarin Vichajarn missing from his post, where he had been monitoring tourists camping roughly 200 meters away. Investigators found blood beneath Sakarin's sleeping hammock and followed a trail nearly one kilometer into the forest, where they located his body near a stream with fatal neck wounds and evidence of animal feeding. Fresh tiger footprints were identified nearby.

Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, ordered a temporary closure of the area and deployed camera traps to track the animal. Initial assessments suggest the attack involved a wild tiger native to the sanctuary. The site is located deep within the forest far from residential areas.

"While tiger attacks on humans are extremely rare in Thailand, authorities are taking full precautions to monitor the animal's behavior," Attapol said.

Officials remain on high alert due to concerns the animal could strike again. The incident marks only the second recorded wild tiger attack on a park employee; the previous attack occurred in 1998 at Khao Yai National Park, where staff scared off a 10-year-old female tiger with warning shots.

Chayaporn Amaradit, director of Conservation Area Management Office 12, confirmed that authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and that full state benefits will be provided to Sakarin's family. -819 (TNA)