An elephant that has starred in feature films and television commercials crushed its owner to death in Thailand, zoo officials said on Tuesday, setting off fresh debate about the kingdom’s animal tourism industry.
The accident took place on Monday morning in the northern city of Chiang Mai, just after owner Somsak Riengngen unchained the five-tonne elephant Ekasit.
With a mahout, or handler, on his back, Ekasit took a few steps before reversing course and attacking 54-year-old Somsak, who was on the ground.
“The elephant suddenly turned back and used his trunk to grab the victim. Then the elephant used his trunk to crush him,” said Wuthichai Muangman, acting director of Chiang Mai Zoo.
Wuthichai, who described Somsak as an “elephant expert”, said the 32-year-old animal was in musth when the accident happened. Musth is a periodic condition in bull elephants during which they can become aggressive and their testosterone levels can be as much as 60 times greater than other times.