This is the heartbreaking moment an elephant was found dead - the fourth to be killed in Thailand this month.<br /><br />The male jumbo was seen by park rangers who were patrolling forests in Prachuap Khiri Khan, southern Thailand on June 28. The fallen elephant's head was submerged in a creek near a local rubber farm.<br /><br />Wildlife ranegrs later summoned vets to examine the elephant's body and find the cause of death.<br /><br />The team detected metal inside the elephant's skull which was later identified as shot from a rifle. Investigators traced the gun to resident, Narong Ornpakdee, 49, who they arrested on suspicion of killing the elephant.<br /><br />He allegedly admitted shooting the creature but claimed it was in self-defence after it charged at him.<br /><br />Police Colonel Wirat Thongthai said the man has been remanded in custody while the investigate the most serious charges of killing an elephant.<br /><br />He said: "Initially, we have charged him possession of a gun without license, unreasonable shooting firearm in public, and violation of the animal reservation act.<br /><br />''However, before he can be charged with killing the elephant we will have to investigate his claims that it ran towards him.''<br /><br />Police said that some locals sympathised with the suspect as they claim that wild elephants have destroyed crops in the area and attacked homes.<br /><br />National park wildlife boss Thammanoon Temchai said they are working to solve the problem and urged residents not to attack elephants.<br /><br />He said: "The problem in the area has become serious but the solution is still a work in progress."<br /><br />Elephants are a protected animal in Thailand and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).
