KANCHANABURI, Thailand – A wildlife officer was killed by a tiger in the early hours of August 5. His body was found in a stream with fresh tiger prints nearby.
Sakrin Wichajarn, a 48-year-old government employee, had not turned up at the agreed meeting point at Baan Nam Phu School. A colleague searched his sleeping pavilion and found his phone and personal belongings. The search team later discovered his body in the middle of Huai Thap Salao stream, about 200 metres from his sleeping spot.
Fresh tiger tracks next to corpse
The body showed signs of a wild animal attack. In the immediate area, rescue workers found fresh tiger tracks.
No one directly witnessed the attack. Athapol Charoenshunsa, director general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, classified a tiger as the likely attacker. Why the animal approached the sleeping area remains unknown.
Colleague searched for missing man
The sequence began when Sakrin failed to depart early in the morning as agreed. Wildlife ranger Sangworn Muenchamnan, level S3, was asked to check on him.
Sangworn found the sleeping spot abandoned and alerted other staff and his superiors. Permsak Kanittachat, head of the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, reported the incident to the relevant authorities.
Authorities warn of repeat behaviour
Employees of the sanctuary regularly work and rest in the area. Athapol therefore ordered all staff to increase vigilance.
Tiger researchers at the Khao Nang Ram Wildlife Research Station have tagged several tigers in the region. It is not yet known which animal was responsible for the attack. Authorities plan to monitor tiger behaviour for possible repeats.
Second attack in 28 years
An estimated 100 to 120 tigers live in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Sakrin’s death is only the second known case of a tiger attack on a human in the area in 28 years.
The sanctuary informed Lan Sak police station to initiate legal proceedings. The victim’s relatives are to be notified.