Herd of Elephants Kicks, Damages Cars

BANGKOK, Thailand - Three people driving through a Thai national park got too close for comfort to a herd of wild elephants who kicked and damaged their vehicles, authorities said Thursday.



The two men and one woman, driving in two pickup trucks through the Khao Yai National Park Wednesday evening, encountered a herd of more than 10 wild elephants, looking for food on the side of the road, said a national park official, speaking on condition of anonymity.


The drivers stopped and waited for the herd to pass, but the agitated elephants surrounded them and used their legs to attack the vehicles, the official said.


He said the elephant damaged the hood and door of one truck and smashed the window and dented the back of the other truck. No one was injured.


The drivers called park authorities on their cellular phone, but by the time they arrived the elephants were retreating, he said.


He said there are about 250 elephants in Khao Yai National Park, which is located about 75 miles north of Bangkok.




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