Authorities and conservationists are rushing to rescue elephants and buffaloes from flash flooding in Thailand’s northern Chiang Mai province, a senior official said on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said 117 elephants had been saved but nine more needed help.
“An operation is underway,” he told reporters.
One village that buffaloes had been moved to earlier was now completed flooded, conservationist Saengduan Chailert said.
“We don’t know how many elephants will survive, we are going back to help them,” she said.
A herd of elephants were seen running through water, trumpeting loudly in a video posted on social media by Saengduan, founder of the Chiang Mai-based Elephant Nature Park.
One ran slower than the herd because she was blind in both eyes, Saengduan said.
Elephants stand in flood waters at the sanctuary in Thailand’s northern Chiang Mai province.
