Three arrested for illegally possessing elephant meat and ivory

Three people have been arrested for purchasing elephant meat and ivory from poachers who allegedly hunted the pachyderms in Phetchaburi province's Kaeng Krachan national park.

Police arrested Manoon Ruengworraset, his son Withoon, and Panya Samranphis for possessing carcasses of protected animals without permission, after a raid at their homes turned up several organs of elephants, including penises, and ivory.

While in police custody, the three suspects implicated Lookkaew Uppatham and Jan Kuafoo for allegedly killing a number of elephants and butchering them for meat and ivory. Police are also on the hunt for Somphorn Jorkai, who has been implicated in poaching.

The three men have denied their charges and are in custody of Kaeng Krachan police pending prosecution.

Meanwhile, authorities have taken two young elephants found in Phuket into custody. The calves' parents are believed to be among the 19 elephants kept at a tourist attraction in Kanchanaburi, veterinarian Amarin Kalprawit said, adding that it is possible the animals have not been registered as domesticated elephants.

Police and the provincial veterinarian office in Kanchanaburi found that the 19 elephants living at the Pang Chang Sai Yok Elephant Park looked different from the photographs submitted for identification.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has filed a complaint with Sai Yok police to check documents and take action if any are found to have been forged.