Wild elephant in Thailand watches over burial site of electrocuted elephant for 4 days

An elephant in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park died of electrocution on Aug. 16, 2025.

The incident is believed to have been a mishap.

The deceased male elephant was found near the entrance of a villager's farm, with wires tangled around the tip of his trunk and mouth.

The elephant was believed to have wandered outside the park boundary at night in search of food and was electrocuted after pulling on the wire with his trunk.

Another elephant sends off dead elephant

As villagers mourned the passing of an elephant owing to a likely mishap, a development in the aftermath of the elephant's death tugged at the heartstrings of people following the story in Thailand and beyond.

It was reported by Khaosod English that another wild male elephant had showed up out of the blue around the burial site of Plai Khun Suek, the elephant that was killed.

The presence of the wild elephant, named Pali Ranger, near the deceased elephant's burial site was noted by park officials, Chaiya Huay Hong Thong, head of Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province said.

Pali Ranger was seen from Aug. 19 to 23.

That was when Plai Khun Suek was laid to rest at the burial site at Ban Phak Hua Fai within the park.

Pali Ranger was seen standing guard near the burial site and refused to leave the area.

People on the ground took it to mean that the elephant was mourning.

It was observed that Pali Ranger would venture out to forage nearby but return to stand watch over the spot where Plai Khun Suek was laid to rest.

This was despite Plai Ranger not going down from the mountain to the lower areas.

"Thai people believe that when an elephant dies, another elephant comes to see off their friend, showing their deep bond. It's truly heartbreaking to witness," Chaiya said.

Top photos via Khaosod English