A World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia veterianarian who was gored by a wild elephant on March 31 is recovering at a Phnom Penh hospital. Separately, a member of a Kampong Speu protected community was attacked by a wild boar on April 2, and was also hospitalised.
WWF country director Seng Teak told The Post that Nava-neetha Roopan would make a full recovery, but would remain in hospital for several days.
Roopan is a 30-year-old Malaysian who began working for the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit and joined WWF Cambodia last year.
He was leading a research trip in Mondulkiri province’s Pech Chreada district when the incident occurred.
Provincial environment department director Chao Bunthoeun told The Post that the team discovered a herd of wild elephants. Intending to attach radio trackers to them, Roopan prepared a tranquiliser dart to render the animals unconscious.
“According to a report from our rangers, Roopan had not yet tranquilised the leader of the herd when it became agitated and gored him with its tusks, piercing the right side of his chest and back. He was seriously injured,” he said.
“The team transported the stricken vet through the forest by motorbike, and got him to the district referral hospital before a helicopter transported him to Phnom Penh for emergency surgery,” he added.
Separately, a member of the Udom Sre Pus community, Khorn Sarith, was severely injured by a wild boar on the evening of April 2.
According to his wife, Van Srey Leak, Sarith was preparing to feed his domestic pigs at his home in Po Meas village of Oral district’s Trapaing Chor commune when the attack took place.
“A wild pig came out of the forest and charged him. The boar’s tusks slashed a deep cut open in his left thigh, and he is currently receiving treatment at the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh,” she told The Post.
