The wild elephant being brought under control

The 700-kilo animal fell into trap on May 7 in Buon Don protected forest.

After being informed about the incident, authorities from the Yok Don National Park in coordination with Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre assigned ten medical staff together with four elephant jockeys and two domesticated elephants to go into the forest to search for and rescue the wild elephant.

They found nothing and were close to a decision to stop searching until May 14 when the wild animal appeared. It was suffering from injuries to one tusk and one leg.

It took one hour for them to put the animal under control. It was then taken to land controlled by Forest Management Station 9 for medical care on May 15.

Tran Van Thanh, acting director of the park said the elephant’s health has improved and it could eat some sugar cane and bananas.

“The elephant also received two injections on May 15 and treatment may take several days,” Thanh noted.

According to director of the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre, Huynh Trung Luan, they would release the elephant to the forest as soon as its health improves.

Thanh added that he has made a list of those who took part in rescuing the elephant and will propose that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recognise their role.

Luan also said that they were searching for the trap and would turn it into an exhibit to raise local people's awareness about illegal trapping which poses a threat to wildlife in the area.