An investigation has found that wildlife officials acted negligently in the relocation of the wild elephant Seedor Hupab, whose death earlier this year sparked public controversy.
Disciplinary action against those responsible has been recommended, along with an order for compensation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said on Wednesday.
A fact-finding committee appointed by the ministry concluded that those involved in the capture and transfer operation of the 2.8-tonne elephant failed to exercise due care. It recommended a disciplinary investigation into the personnel concerned and civil liability proceedings against the officials responsible at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
The findings were based on legal considerations and clearly indicated negligence in the operation, said Nipon Jamnongsirisak, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary and chairman of the committee.
The committee recommended that DNP executives linked to the relocation be held financially liable for damages equivalent to the elephant’s value, estimated at 5-10 million baht, with the final amount to be determined through further assessment.
Mr Nipon said the committee would not yet disclose the names of those involved, but confirmed they were connected to the relocation.
The 15-year-old male elephant died on the night of Feb 3 in Khon Kaen province while he was being moved back to his original habitat, a wildlife sanctuary in Loei.
The relocation was ordered after Seedor Hupab strayed from the sanctuary and began raiding human settlements for food, and attacked and killed two people.
A previous inquiry found that the elephant died from respiratory failure after choking on food while being moved, rejecting speculation that he died from a sedative overdose.
His death triggered criticism from animal welfare advocates and calls for accountability over the handling of the operation.