Eleven elephants die as they try to rescue a calf

Eleven elephants have plummeted to their deaths and have been discovered in Thailand’s waterfall, known as the “Ravine of Hell”. 

The first group of elephants died on October 5th, 2019, while trying to rescue a three year old calf. 

When the first group of elephants were found, two surviving elephants were found struggling on the edge of the cliff. The two surviving elephants were moved and continue to be monitored. 

The calf slipped over the Haew Narok Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park, according to the country’s National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. The five adult elephants and the calf were found dead close to the base of the falls. 

The ravines are known to overflow with water during the rainy season. It wasn’t clear at first why the elephants fell in the strong currents. 

When officials were investigating the first six elephants and how they died, they spotted a second group of five dead elephants, said spokesman Somopote Maneerat. The five other elephants were thought to be a part of the same herd.

The death toll of 11 marks the highest number of elephants to die in a single incident in Khao Yai, Somopote Maneerat stated.