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UBON RATCHATHANI: A wild elephant has been found dead with gunshot wounds near a waterfall inside Buntharik-Yod Mon wildlife sanctuary. Photos
from a camera trap showed an armed man in a military uniform of a neighbouring country in the vicinity.

The dead jumbo, aged 25-35 years and weighing 3.5-4.5 tonnes, was found at Huay Sai Yai waterfall on Wenesday evening by wildlife sanctuary officials.

The animal had gunshot wounds to its left hip. It was believed to have been shot 7-8 days ago and to have had a lingering death, said Chaiwat Limlikhitaksornn,
director of the Protected Area Regional Office 9.

Veterinarians and wildlife officials to examined the carcass on Thursday evening.

A single AK-47 bullet was found lodged in the beast's second rib.

Footage from a nearby camera trap showed an armed man wearing a military uniform of a neighbouring country walking inside the wildlife sanctuary,
about one kilometre from the waterfall. The man was carrying an AK-47 rifle and a GPS device, was believed to have been tracking poachers cutting
phayung trees in forest along the border.

There was a high possibility he was involved in the death of the elephant, officials said.

The elephant's carcass was buried, after lime was spread over it for disinfection.

The spent bullet and a report on the animal's death was handed over to police for investigation, to find those involved.

Buntharik district borders the Laos province of Champasak

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