In a remarkable display of intelligence and resourcefulness, a greedy wild elephant named ‘Fatty’ by locals decided to bypass his usual jungle fare and instead halted passing trucks to indulge in a sugarcane heist. This audacious act occurred on a road in Chachoengsao province, Thailand, on December 29, leaving onlookers both amazed and amused. The 35-year-old jumbo strategically positioned himself in front of vehicles, prompting them to slow down. With a deftness that belies his size, ‘Fatty’ reached up to snatch sugarcane from the trailers, much to the surprise of the truck drivers.
Videos captured the impressive sight of the bull elephant gorging on the freshly harvested sugarcane, a treat that is typically destined for factories to be turned into sugar. The powerful beast’s antics even forced some drivers to navigate into the opposite lane to avoid an unexpected confrontation. Local observer Au Wanapin shared insights, revealing that ‘Fatty’ is not the sole participant in this behavior, as multiple wild elephants in the area have developed a knack for intercepting sugarcane trucks.
Thailand boasts around 2,000 Asian elephants in their natural habitat, freely roaming among protected forests. These clever creatures have seemingly honed the practice of swiping delectable food from vehicles, as they provide a convenient and appetizing food source. While it’s not driven by hunger, experts suggest that elephants are drawn to this alternative food supply over their usual jungle forage. Authorities emphasize the protected status of elephants in Thailand, with severe consequences for those who harm these majestic animals.