A second Kui Buri gaur has been found dead in an irrigation canal in Prachuap Khiri Khan province in less than a month. Veterinarians suspect the animal drowned after falling into the canal in Sam Roi Yot district.
Residents found the carcass lodged against a bridge in Ban Thung Khlet, Salalai subdistrict, outside Kui Buri National Park. Park chief Phongsiri Thammarit reported the discovery on Wednesday, 11 November, to the Phetchaburi branch of Protected Area Regional Office 3.
Veterinarians and wildlife officers examined the animal after it was lifted from the canal. The male gaur was estimated to be between eight and 15 years old and weighed about 800kg. The team estimated it had died within the previous 24 hours.
A post-mortem examination at Kui Buri National Park found bleeding and fluid build-up in the lungs and a large amount of water in the oesophagus. The team found no external injuries, signs of a struggle or visible signs of foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease. A scan detected no metal fragments. Veterinarians collected samples from the liver, lungs and heart for further testing.
The team suspects the gaur became separated from its herd while foraging and that the current carried its body to the bridge. Officials buried the carcass and asked the park’s assistant chief to have the incident formally recorded at Sam Roi Yot Police Station.
Earlier Kui Buri gaur death in Pran Buri
On 19 October, residents found a male gaur lodged against a sluice gate in an irrigation canal in Ban Huai Phlap, Nong Ta Taem subdistrict, Pran Buri district. The animal was estimated to be three to five years old and weighed between 700kg and 800kg. Officials suspect it wandered from Kui Buri National Park and drowned after falling into the canal.