Six wild elephants have drowned after plunging to their deaths at a waterfall known as the Ravine of Hell in Thailand’s national park.
Two further elephants had to be rescued from a deep ravine by rangers at the Khao Yai National Park, who said the animals were trying to reach the body of a calf.
The elephants were found near the Haew Narok waterfall shortly after dawn on Saturday morning.
Park rangers helped lead the two elephants from the ravine and said they will monitor their condition throughout the week.
The waterfall was closed off to visitors while officials removed the bodies.
“The two elephants right now are taking a rest. They are exhausted from trying to cross the stream,” said Chanaya Kanchanasaka, a vet working at the park, which is located 80 miles north-east of the capital, Bangkok.
The ravines usually fill with a torrent of water during the nation’s rainy season, and in 1992 eight elephants died after tumbling into the water.
The park is home to about 300 wild elephants and is part of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a Unesco World Heritage site.