An elderly wild elephant found injured and underweight in Buri Ram province is getting urgent care.
The elephant, identified as "DY M 001", a male some 50–60 years old, was found with multiple wounds, including a large pus-filled injury on its right hip, prompting officials to implement a treatment and nutritional recovery plan.
Sukhee Boonsang, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, said authorities received a report through the forest protection hotline 1362 on June 3 after the elephant was spotted injured in Samrong Mai subdistrict of Lahan Sai district.
On Saturday, officials joined veterinarians and volunteer groups to assess the elephant and prepare a treatment plan.
The team included personnel from Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary, Ta Phraya National Park, Protected Area Regional Office 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima province, and wildlife-tracking volunteer networks.
An initial assessment found the elephant alert and responsive, still able to forage independently and maintaining a strong appetite despite its age.
However, it moves slowly and spends long hours soaking in water during the day, apparently to relieve discomfort and body heat.
Veterinarians assessed its body condition score as 2.5 out of 5, indicating it is underweight, with signs of poor digestion evident in its faeces, likely linked to age-related tooth deterioration.
Officials have begun wound care and nutritional support, mixing vitamins and supplements into the elephant's food, while ranger teams continue to closely monitor DY M 001 and report directly to veterinarians.
