This is the heartbreaking moment a young elephant collapsed and died in agony after being shot multiple times in Thailand.
The five-year-old Asian elephant was found suffering at least five gunshot wounds on the outskirts of Kui Buri National Park, in the south of the country, on May 29. He had been shot in the shoulder, waist, hip and leg.
Medics tried to save the animal by washing and plugging the wounds with gauze, administering antibiotics, then hoisting him up using a winch so that he could eat.
Young elephant dies after it was shot by hunters despite treatment
A five-year-old elephant collapsed and died in agony despite medic’s attempts to save it after it was found suffering gunshot wounds on farmland in southern Thailand
Police say the elephant had been shot at least five times, probably with a shotgun, and had two piece of metal lodged inside its body – one of which ruptured its large intestine
Medics used IV drips inserted into the back of the elephant’s ear to administer food and antibiotics in an attempt to revive him
Video captured the elephant chewing on palm fronds and green bananas while doctors stood around assessing his progress.
But his condition slowly deteriorated and he eventually collapsed, writhing in pain.
Medics were filmed giving him painkillers and inserting drips into his ear to give him antibiotics and food, but they could not save him.
The elephant eventually died on March 31, two days after he was found.
Scans and tests have since shown at least two metal objects lodged in his body, local station INN News reports, one of which ruptured his large intestine.
He was also suffering from parasitic worms which had infected his liver and stomach, causing him to be emaciated.
Medics spent two days treating the animal, disinfecting and plugging its wounds with gauze and using a winch to pull it upright so it could eat (pictured)
Video captured the badly-emaciated animal chewing on palm fronds and green bananas before collapsing from exhaustion
Tyres were placed around the elephant to cushion its fall in case it tumbled over, while police and medics were stationed on the farm where it was found in order to watch over him
Medics examine a large wound next to the elephant’s tail where they believe he was shot. Investigators have yet to establish how long the elephant was walking around wounded for being being found
The elephant was found around half a mile outside a national park where the animals are allowed to roam freely.
Police believe the young male – driven by hunger – wandered out of the park and into a jackfruit farm, where he was shot.
National Park director Pichai Watcharapongpaibul said: ‘The elephant was seriously exhausted and could not stand up or move so he was treated at the scene and monitored closely.
‘Unfortunately he suddenly became weaker and died.
‘We don’t know how long the bullets had been inside the elephant’s body or what type of gun they came from as an autopsy must be performed.’
He said National Park staff will start an investigation to find the hunter who shot the elephant, which is believed to have been in retribution for damaging farm land.
Police use a metal detector in an attempt to find any bullets or pellets lodged in the animal’s body. They found at least two before the elephant died
As well as being shot, investigators say the elephant was infected by parasites and worms which led to it becoming emaciated
Medics used IV drips to pump antibiotics and painkillers into the animal’s system in an attempt to save him, but he died after a two-day battle. An investigation has been launched
He added: ‘Initially, we will ask the locals living nearby whether they have seen this elephant before or if anybody was angered by the elephants.’
Hunting wild elephants has been illegal in Thailand since 1992.
Anyone caught hunting or killing the animals can be fined up to £1,000 or jailed for four years.
There are thought to be 320 Asian elephants living wild in the park, which covers 374 square miles and stretches across the border into neighbouring Myanmar.