A wild elephant was found dead after touching a high-voltage fence around a resort in Thailand.

The 30-year-old jumbo named 'Bieng Noi' collapsed on its side after being electrocuted by a while looking for food in Nakhon Ratchasima province on September 23.

Khao Yai national park director Nain Pinsakul rushed to the scene with veterinarians to check on the animal.

He said: "The elephant was already dead when we arrived. We want to find out how the elephant died. We will gather information and provide it to the police."

Officials found a 200-volt electric fence stretched around the caravan park where the elephant was found dead.

The fence is reported to have been set up to ward off wild animals from entering the resort where guests are allowed to rent camper trailers.

Rangers took the elephant back to the national park office to perform an autopsy to find the cause of death.

The park is also set to file a complaint to the local police because the resort allegedly set up illegal electrical power railings that could harm the animals.

Mr Pinsakul added: ''There will be an investigation to find whether the fence was installed legally.''

There are an estimated 2,000 elephants living in the wild in Thailand and a similar number in captivity. In the wild they roam through deep jungle and in the country's protected national parks.

However, there is conflict when they come in contact with humans who also use the area of farming and gathering food.

Elephants are a protected animal in Thailand and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).