Unlike other elephants satisfied with jungle leaves, Fatty has developed a sweet tooth, which has led to some mischievous behavior that has caught the attention of locals.
Referred to affectionately as “Fatty” by the locals, this 35-year-old male elephant has turned into a familiar sight in the area. Unlike elephants with tusks, Fatty stands out for his adoration for food and playful antics.
One of Many
He is part of a gathering of wild elephants that, rather interestingly, head to the road each year to capture sugarcane trucks. According to Au Wanapin, a passerby, there are several elephants in the area with similar habits.
Fatty’s Sugarcane Heist
As seen in the footage shared by Newsflare, Fatty appeared from the thick forest and took to a road often used by passing trucks. With a clever strategy, the elephant placed himself in front of oncoming vehicles, forcing them to slow down.
Taking advantage of the situation, Fatty effortlessly reached up to the trailers of the trucks, where the sweet-smelling shipment of freshly gathered sugarcane awaited.
Thailand is home to approximately 2,000 Asian elephants that walk freely in shielded forests. Unlike African elephants, male Asian elephants like Fatty tend to roam alone once they get to a certain age, while females remain with their herds.
Wildlife officials think that clever elephants like Fatty have understood to ransack vehicles not out of hunger, but due to a tendency for the more delicious choices found in homes and trucks over the unrestricted jungle forage.
Elephants hold a special place in Thailand, and the nation has strict laws safeguarding these majestic animals. The killing of elephants carries severe penalties, including a maximum prison term of ten years and a substantial fine of 1,000,000 baht.
Fatty’s playful escapades carry a bit of whimsy to the lives of Chachoengsao residents. In any case, it also raises important questions about coexistence among humans and natural life.
As communities track down ways to safeguard the two elephants and local interests, Fatty’s sugarcane heist serves as a sign of the delicate balance required for a harmonious relationship between humans and the animal kingdom.
Fatty, the sugarcane-cherishing elephant, adds a magnificent chapter to the shared story of humans and natural life in Thailand. As communities adapt and track down ways to coexist, each experience with Fatty becomes a cherished second, celebrating the beauty of nature and the uniqueness of the animal kingdom.
Tara is an ocean enthusiast who spends her time exploring the South African coastline. With an Honours Degree in Marine Biology and previous experience in Marketing, she now channels her passion for the marine environment into a career in Science Communication.
Tara enjoys writing about marine animals like whales, sharks, dolphins and nudibranchs.
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