6 Elephants Die While Trying To Save A Baby Elephant That Slipped Over A Waterfall

Six wild elephants have fallen to their deaths after they tried to save a baby elephant that had slipped over a waterfall in central Thailand's Khao Yai National Park.

According to the BBC, the tragedy apparently occurred on Saturday, 5 October.

Chief of the national park Khanchit Srinoppawan said that a three-year old-calf was among the dead, adding that the waterfall has been closed to the public since.

The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said that Khao Yai National Park officials were alerted to elephants "crying" for help at 3am.

However, they found six bodies at the bottom of the gushing waterfall, known as Haew Narok, also known as Hell's Abyss, CNA reported yesterday.

However, the two rescued elephants are said to be extremely distressed.

The BBC reported Edwin Wiek, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, saying that the tragic incident could take an emotional toll on the pair that may have difficulty surviving as elephants rely on their large herds for protection and finding food.

"It's like losing half your family.

"There's nothing you can do, it's nature, unfortunately," Mr Wiek told the BBC.

Back in 1992, a herd of eight elephants had fallen to their deaths.

According to Reuters, there are around 300 wild elephants in the park, which covers more than 2,000 square km (772 square miles) of forest and grassland.

A popular destination for tourists, the Khao Yai National Park is home to various wild animals, including bears, elephants and gibbons.