Northeast Thailand villages ravaged by wild elephants: Urgent action plea

Agricultural communities in Loei, a province in northeast Thailand, are grappling with the daunting invasion of wild elephants from the Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve. The elephants have devoured crops almost entirely in some fields, leading to an earnest plea to the relevant government agencies for an urgent resolution.

The impacted residents mainly inhabit 11 villages in Phu Kradueng and Huai Som districts. They are witnessing the intrusion of the wild elephants emerging from the wildlife reserve which is home to more than 30 of these giant beasts.

Every night the elephants venture out in search of food, causing severe damage by consuming and trampling over a vast quantity of crops. Sometimes they enter the villages, leaving the villagers in fear. The villagers say they can’t claim compensation for the destruction of their crops and possessions, blaming…