Stranded elephants fled a flooded animal camp amid heavy rain in northern Thailand.

The jumbo herd was among the 3,000 animals that had to evacuate a sanctuary in Chiang Mai province when a deluge inundated their homes.

Footage shows the elephants running to safety as water levels rose on October 3. One of them stumbled over poles but managed to push through the water and join its family.

They were guided by volunteers from the Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park, who also saved other affected animals in the region.

The sanctuary owner Saengduean Chailert said: ‘This year's floodwaters have been the highest and most severe we've ever experienced.

‘Even high ground, such as the disabled dog kennel was flooded, forcing us to evacuate them urgently. Many of the elephants could not return to their sleeping quarters tonight.

‘The mahouts guided them, keeping them safe until the water levels recede. We continue to monitor the situation very closely to ensure the safety of all the animals and staff under our care.


'It was the biggest evacuation we have ever done to save their lives, the water rose rapidly.

'There are some animals we could not evacuate yesterday. Thirteen adult elephants are still trapped in their quarters. They are panicking.'


The owner added that at least two elephants were killed in the deluge, including a blind jumbo named Ploy Thong.

Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16, flew a helicopter on an aerial survey over the submerged region.

He said most of the 126 elephants in the park have been rescued, while around six were left. Officers have been unable to evacuate them because they were either hostile or ill.

He said: 'The rescue plan for tomorrow is to use a large motorboat with mahouts to guide the elephants. However, if the water level drops below six feet, we may be able to bring large trucks to the area to carry them away.'

Heavy rains have been ravaging northern Thailand in recent weeks. The seasonal downpours have caused severe floods as rivers burst their banks and submerged towns and villages.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season, which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon, leading to widespread flash floods.