Woman, 49, Dies After Being Attacked by Wild Elephant at National Park: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Phu Kradueng National Park in Thailand.Photo:pinglabel/Getty

pinglabel/Getty

The woman was walking in Phu Kradueng National Park in Thailand when she was attacked on Wednesday, Dec. 11, per local media outlets theBangkok Post,MCOT.netandThe Nation.

She was on a trail leading to Phen Phop Mai Waterfall when the incident happened.

According to MCOT.net and The Nation, the elephant charged at the woman twice, causing fatal injuries.

In a post shared onFacebookon Dec. 12, Phu Kradueng National Park confirmed that a visitor had died following an incident of wild elephants attacking tourists on Dec. 11. The post added that the elephants are “still roaming around the walking path to various tourist attractions” and “it may be dangerous to tourists who see wild elephants along the path.”

Phu Kradueng National Park in Thailand.Boy_Anupong/Getty

Boy_Anupong/Getty

“Phu Kradung National Park expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and requests all tourists to strictly follow the instructions of the officials for tourism safety,” the post added.

The victim was identified as a woman named Jeeranan from Chachoengsao province, per theBangkok Post. According to the outlet, other visitors at the park alerted rangers to the attack at around 9:47 a.m. local time. Park officials then found the woman dead.

Adisorn Hemtanon, the head of Phu Kradueng National Park, said that the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has ordered an investigation into the incident and instructed park rangers to provide increased security for visitors, according to MCOT.net.

Per theBangkok Post,Phu Kradueng police have also begun an investigation into the woman’s death.

A photo of an African elephant.Manoj Shah/Getty

Manoj Shah/Getty

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Phu Kradueng National Park said all tourist attractions and camps would be temporarily closed from Dec. 13 following the incident, per their Facebook post. “The tourism section of the Sri San Tourist Service Center (foothill) remains open to the tourists as usual,” the post added.

According to theBangkok Post,MCOT.net and The Nation, this is the first time a wild elephant has attacked a tourist in the area.

PEOPLE has reached out to Phu Kradueng National Park for comment.

source: people.com