When the ongoing construction detour is complete, the problematic section would be closed and thus would reduce losses of wildlife and people, Decha said. The detour would allow motorists from Chacherngsao’s Tha Takiab district to Sa Kaew’s Khao Chakan area to no longer have to use highways 3259 and 3076 and the wild elephants would be left in peace. A source at the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has revealed that the wild elephant population in the 130,000-rai forest covering five eastern provinces, was 422 as of last April. The 67,400-rai (10,784-hectare) Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary alone now has 275 elephants after two elephants earlier died. The truck careered into the side of the road while the elephants fled.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 23, 2018 18:00 UTC