Nearly 100 Rescued Elephants Escape Flash Floods in Northern Thailand Sanctuary

Flash floods at a Thai elephant sanctuary killed two elephants and prompted the evacuation of around 100 more, with dramatic rescue efforts ongoing amid rising water levels and urgent pleas for help.

Flash floods hit the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand, resulting in the death of two elephants and the urgent evacuation of around 100 others and multiple tourists. Footage showed elephants wading through deep water in search of safety, while staff, known as mahouts, attempted to guide them to higher ground.

Founder Saengduean “Lek” Chailert described the floods as the park’s worst and reported that 13 elephants remained trapped in their quarters. With water levels still rising due to recent severe weather, including Typhoon Yagi, the park is facing a second evacuation.

Volunteers are urgently needed, as well as animal transportation, due to inaccessible roads and ongoing flooding. The park, a rescue center for over 200 elephants, also takes in other rescued animals, and officials are struggling to assist because of the flooded routes.