Elephant kills tourist at national park in Thailand, third fatality linked to the same animal

February 2, 2026 / 10:05 AM EST / CBS/AFP

Elephant kills tourist at national park in Thailand, third fatality linked to the same animal

TL;DR

  • A tourist was killed by a wild bull elephant in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.
  • This is the third person killed by the elephant known as "Oyewan."
  • Park officials will meet to decide on the elephant's fate, considering relocation or behavior modification.
  • Over 220 people have been killed by wild elephants in Thailand since 2012.
  • Thailand's wild elephant population has significantly increased, leading to the use of contraceptive vaccines for females.
  • Recent deadly elephant attacks have also been reported in India, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa.