Drama in the sanctuary: elephants flee from rising floods

Chiang Mai (Thailand) - The floods in Thailand hit the "Elephant Nature Park", a protected area for elephants, and forced many of the animals to flee. Around 100 were rescued, but unfortunately two of them did not make it.

The park is located near Chiang Mai and has set itself the task of saving the elephants - which are mainly used in the tourism and timber industries in Thailand.

Video footage shows park staff (the "mahouts") trying to guide the pachyderms through the floods to higher ground, as reported byCNN.

"It was the biggest evacuation we've ever had to save their lives. The water was rising rapidly," explains the park's founder, Saengduean "Lek" Chailert.

The day after the first evacuation, the problems continued as 13 of the elephants were still trapped in their enclosures and the water level continued to rise.

Unfortunately, two of the huge animals could not be rescued. One of them was Ploy Tong, a blind elephant. Two others are still missing.

The animals will probably have to be evacuated a second time due to the floods not receding. Another priority is the procurement of boats so that the "mahouts" can get to the elephants to calm them down. In addition, 30 foreign volunteers are currently stuck in the reserve, some of whom have been helping out in the park for weeks.

However, the park is not only home to elephants, but also dogs, cats, horses, pigs and rabbits. Some of these were evacuated. The problem with the elephants, however, is that many of them are struggling with physical problems. "Among the evacuated animals are many sick elephants, some can barely walk. We had to help them get to the foot of the mountain. We urgently need help," says Saengduean.