مرگ يك فيل بر اثر برقگرفتگي Elephant Died of Electrocution

February 01, 2010
An investigation into the recent death of Saeng-jun an elephant from the Nern Na Jomtien Elephant Camp has revealed the cause of death to be electrocution.
Pattaya, the 31st of January 2010 [PDN]: After having been informed by the Provincial Electricity Authority that Saeng-jun’s death was not a result of an electrical fault in the area around a high voltage power pole; the Nern Na Jomtien Elephant Camp engaged the services of private company to perform their own test on the area.
On Sunday, police Lieutenant Anon Inphorng (Jomtien Police Investigator) was informed by Mr. Pheerapat Limboonpha [24] an electrical engineer from a high-voltage maintenance company in Nontha Buri, that electrical testing will be conducted on the area where Saeng-jun died. Mr. Limboonpha added that, he had been contacted by the Nern Na Jomtien Elephant Camp after they were still sceptical about the area around the power pole where Saeng-jun died, despite the results provided by the Provincial Electricity Authority stating that the area was safe.

Police Lieutenant Inphorng, Mr. Limboonpha along with a team of electrical engineers went to the scene of Saeng-jun’s death to perform a series of electrical tests. Saeng-jun’s owner and rider Mr. Uay Yuirum [61], his daughter Mrs. Phan Yuirum [38] and a host of other mahouts from the nearby elephant camp were present at the scene to observe the tests.

Electrical engineers connected a high voltage power cable to a small stake (3m from the power pole) protruding from the ground that was believed to be electrically charged. Cordoning off the surrounding area, engineers proceeded to connect a Voltmeter to the cable which produced a positive reading of 150 volts. Further tests on another stake in the area gained a reading of 50 volts, with the meter box on the pole and the stay that supports the post also recording a reading of up to 200 volts.
Not satisfied by the positive tests, engineers also connected various electrical items to their test cable, including: a fan, 60w light bulb and a fluorescent tube. All three items worked as if plugged into a wall socket, confirming unobjectionably that the area was highly electrically charged, with readings reaching up to 200volts.
Tour manager at the Nern Na Jomtien Elephant Camp Mr. Klitsana Suksri [37] stated that they now firmly believed that the cause of Saeng-jun’s death and the injury of another mahout prior to this was the result of electrocution suffered when they passed near the power pole. Subsequently, the mahouts, elephant owners and local residents have formed a petition which they will present to the Provincial Electrical Authority requesting they immediately act on these findings so as to avoid future deaths and injuries to the elephants, mahouts, tourists and local residents.
Police Lt. Inphorng stated that the residents, mahouts and Mr. Yuirum were lucky to have had assistance from the private electrical company which conducted the tests. Adding that, the findings of the day’s tests will be presented to the Provisional Electrical Authority for corrective action. He informed Mr. Yuirum that the death of his elephant Saeng-jun was now a civil case and he is entitled to proceed with a case against the Provincial Electrical Authority in order to gain compensation for his loss. Also stating that the case of the mahout being thrown from his ride subsequently breaking his leg had significant grounds for a civil lawsuit over his loss of earnings.