Manuel Trofa, 29, and Francesco Di Megu, 31, were riding the elephant (named Thanwa) along with a mahout through a palm oil plantation with elephant trekking company, Bangkaew Adventure Tour, when the elephant suddenly shook them off in a fit of rage and gored Di Megu in the stomach causing his small intestine to spill out. (See story here.)
Sarote Jittakarn of the Phang Nga Department of Livestock Development told The Phuket News that Thanwa, who is approximately 8-9 years old, is still a very young adolescent who was previously used as a circus elephant and had attacked a mahout once before, although the mahout was unhurt.
“Thanwa has now been chained up by the leg and quarantined near the camp whilst the eldest mahout assesses his behaviour,” Sarote confirmed.
“The mahout will determine whether Thanwa can be used for trekking again or if he will be used for logging instead.”
“A professional mahout will know what to do with the elephant as he has more experience than a livestock officer,” Sarote said.
Col Boriboon Yusuksomboon of Thung Kha Ngok Police provided an update on the condition of the two Italian tourists.
“Trofa’s hip was fractured in the fall and he has had an operation at Phuket Bangkok Hospital,” Col Boriboon confirmed.
“Di Megu has had abdominal surgery. He had one operation in Phang Nga Hospital and was then transferred to Bangkok Hospital for a second operation,” he explained.
Col Boriboon added that, “Police are investigating whether the attack happened as a result of the mahout being reckless. If so, appropriate charges will be brought.”