PHETCHABURI, 10 April 2013 (NNT) – An elephant’s decapitated carcass has been found in Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi province, its death believed to have been caused by the ivory trade.

Park rangers and soldiers inspected the carcass of the male elephant that was at least 20 years old and had a height of no less than 2.40 meters. The elephant’s head had been severed from its body, prompting officials to point to ivory trade as the motive for the killing. Several holes were found on the skull, but these have yet to be confirmed as bullet holes.

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