Taskforce commander Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn led a team intending to seize the elephants from Hua Hin Tique Zoo, which were listed under the licence of other animals.

When the parks officials showed up, however, they discovered that despite an order in June to prohibit the animals being moved from the zoo pending an investigation, the animals had been sent back to the lender, Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, two days ago.

DNA tests

According to Chaiwat, DNA samples taken from Plai Kohphrayaphetch, 8, and Plai TG, 4, which were leased to the zoo by Ayutthaya Elephant Palace did not match database information and their licences contained several corrections.

Plai TG’s DNA did not match its father’s.

Hua Hin Tique Zoo manager Akaradech Suksiriwong claimed the elephants’ caretaker moved them back to Ayutthaya, with permission from a livestock office, because there were not any mahouts to control the pair and there were fears they may endanger tourists.

Chaiwat said the taskforce had asked Ayutthaya Elephant Palace to return the animals.

He said they also filed a police complaint against the zoo on charges of possessing protected animals without permission and document forgery.

He also filed a theft charge against a previous manager who signed an agreement to take care of the elephants pending an investigation.

Chaiwat also instructed Akaradech to file a complaint against the elephant owner for removing the animals without permission from the zoo.