Khao Yai National Park officials are considering a ban on large motorcycles in the wake of the video-taped elephant confrontation that was seen to have been triggered by the noise from a group of big bike riders on Sunday.
Kanchit Srinoppawan, chief of Khao Yai National Park, said on Wednesday he had invited representatives of big bike groups and tourism operators for a talk on Thursday to explain road regulations in the park area to prevent a repeat of Sunday's incident.
The move came after a confrontation between a motorcyclist, who escaped unhurt, and a herd of wild elephants at kilometre marker 32 on the Prachin Buri-Khaoyai Road.
Mr Kanchit said the issue of road noise, which disturbs wild animals, and how to prevent a repeat of Sunday’s incident would be discussed at the meeting, along with limitations on speed and noise. Afterwards, he might propose a ban on all big motorcycles in Khao Yai park if it does not affect tourism.
The bike-elephant encounter was captured on video and it went viral on the internet.
The 1.35 minute video published by Khaoyainews.com showed seven or eight elephants, two of them infants, walking on the road when a motorcyclist approaches them from behind. All of a sudden, one elephant turns back, and runs at the man as if to attack him. The other elephants follow his lead. They howl and move impatiently to corner the man who abandons his vehicle, and performs a wai. None of the herd attacked the man and left shortly after.
A man, identified only as Mr Eddie who filmed the incident, told Khaosod newspaper that the encounter occurred at about 5.30pm. Before that four men had ridden quickly past the spot on their bikes and had made a lot of noise.
He said the wild elephants may have been upset or stressed by the loud engines and went onto the road to express their anger when the lone motorcyclist arrived at the area later.
Mr Kanchit said the park barred all motorists from driving at more than 60 km/hour, while vehicle engine noise must not go above 95 decibels at any time while passing through the park area.
He said a big bike could produce a very loud noise and disturb the elephants when driven faster than 60 km/hour.
“I believe the elephants’ action was something akin to finger shaking and rebuking the humans in their face. They invaded their home and disturbed them. If they had really felt angry then they would have wrecked the motorcycle or hurt the rider,” Mr Kanchit said.
He urged all tourists to carefully study essential information and regulations before they visit the park.
Veterinarian Patarapol Manee-Orn of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department said big bike riders should travel along Khao Yai roads separately instead of together in group to avoid creating excessive noise. He said the elephants did not attack the unidentified motorcyclist because they were more interested in his motorcycle.
“Waving hands or even performing a wai may pose even more danger as it’s like you are drawing the attention of the elephants,” Mr Patarapol said.
The man may have panicked and not known what to do but give a wai, he said. “But what you should do is compose yourself and run from the elephants as far as possible. The safe distance is 50 metres.”