The wounded mammal was found Thursday near a creek by Maotae Mountain in Tambon Mareu Botok, 200 metres from Ban Bra Eng Moo 2.

Chaloem Phra Kiat Sirinthon Wildlife Sanctuary head Wiroj Siri-umakul and chief of the 45th Ranger Regiment, Colonel Isara Janthakrayom, then called in a vet from Protected Area Regional Office 6 (Songkhla) to treat the elephant, whose head and broken left hind leg were riddled with shotgun wounds.

The vet treated the immobile animal’s wounds and put her on a saline drip, but when officials went to check on her condition yesterday, she had succumbed to her injuries. Villagers buried the beast on the hill.

Quoting villagers, Wiroj said that the elephant was part of a family of three, which included the male mate and a calf.

Forest official Chonsawat Boonklua will file a police complaint against the shooter.