Culture
Khao Yai Sun Bear Hunt Underway After Poultry Attack
Authorities in Prachin Buri are tracking a 25-kilogram sun bear that killed seven chickens in a local village, using food as bait to safely capture the animal.
On September 8, 2026, officials from the Protected Area Regional Office 1 (PACO 1) launched an operation to capture a sun bear near Khao Yai National Park. The mission follows an incident on September 7 in Ban Trok Niam, Prachin Buri, where a 25-kilogram bear reportedly entered a coop and killed seven chickens belonging to a 70-year-old resident during a power outage caused by heavy rain.
To secure the animal, rangers have set up traps in a nearby eucalyptus forest, utilizing a mixture of minced pork noodles and ripe bananas to lure the bear. Officials have issued a strict warning to residents living within a five-kilometer radius of the community forest, advising them to avoid any confrontation with the bear and emphasizing that hunting the protected species is strictly prohibited.
For residents and travelers in the area, this situation serves as a reminder of the proximity of wildlife to human settlements. While the operation is ongoing, it remains to be confirmed whether the bear will be successfully lured into the trap or if it has moved further into the forest. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety and the welfare of the animal.