(The Nation/ANN)-For the first time in 15 years, a gaur has been spotted inside a wildlife sanctuary in Surin's Kap Choneg district, a wildlife official said on Saturday.

Wutthikul Ngampanya, chief of Huay Thapthan-Huay Samrarn Wildlife Sanctuary, said the gaur, which appeared to be around 10 years old, was spotted on Tuesday and Thursday.

The motion sensor camera, mounted on a tree near a small pond where wild animals come to drink, captured monochrome pictures of the gaur.

Wutthikul said it was the first time that a gaur has been seen at the spot in 15 years.

The last gaur was found there in 2004 when it strayed into a village. The gaur, which was about 20 years old, died of distress while officials tried to rescue it.

An autopsy found the gaur had 27 bullets embedded in the body so officials believed it survived several hunting attempts by poachers.