Mae Taeng: More than 30 rescue workers and rescue elephants joined a major rehearsal for evacuating pets in preparation for flash floods. In 2024, a flash flood in the Mae Taeng River killed several pets and elephants.
According to Thai News Agency, the training took place at the Baan Chang Trakun Saen Doo Chang Doi, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai, with a simulation of the Mae Taeng River in Chiang Mai, which experienced flash floods, rapids, and floods. More than 30 rescuers had to work with four rope handlers, whom the veterinary team of the Elephant and Environment Conservation Foundation called 'Big Rescuers', to help evacuate pets, including dogs, cats, cows, buffalo, pigs, and goats, through the rapids of the Mae Taeng River, and bring all the animals to safety, using rope techniques and specialized equipment to help transport the animals.
This field training found that the elephants responded well to the rescue team's commands, were not startled, and were able to safely pull the pets on the bamboo rafts across the fast-flowing river. They were also able to walk the pets that were carried on the elephants' backs through the water to the shore very well. Phra Khru Od Phra Nakbun, Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, Chiang Mai, said that at present, they have set up a 'Big Rescue Unit' or 'Elephant Rescue Unit' to support animal rescue in critical situations in the northern region through coordination with network partners, veterinarians, rescue workers, and volunteer organizations to serve as a model for systematic use of animals in missions. They have also organized a system for caring for injured or sick animals during emergencies. In the future, they plan to expand cooperation to networks at the local level to be able to respond to disasters of various types quickly and safely.