The families in Ban Ta Klang, the epicenter of Thailand’s elephant business located in Surin province, have cared for elephants for generations and have a close connection to them.
Elephant shows and rides have long been popular with tourists, especially Chinese visitors, though recent years have also seen a rise in sanctuary tourism.
The Livestock Development Department, which oversees captive elephants, says the government has sent 500,000 kg of grass across multiple provinces since 2020 to help feed the elephants.
According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, elephants eat 150-200 kg each day.
Livestock Development Department Director-General Sorawit Thanito said the government plans to assist elephants and their caretakers, and that measures along with a budget will be proposed to the Cabinet.
While the government is expecting 10 million foreign tourists this year, some say this may not be enough to lure elephant owners back to top tourist destinations, given the costs involved. Chinese tourists, the mainstay of elephant shows, have also yet to return amid pandemic lockdowns at home.
Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, estimates that at least a thousand elephants in Thailand would have no “proper income” until more tourists return.
According to official agencies, Thailand has about 3,200-4,000 captive elephants and some 3,500 in the wild. (NNT)
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