Why is Thailand vaccinating wild elephants?

Thailand is vaccinating wild elephants to control their ballooning population, which is increasing at an eight percent annual rate in some regions, and to reduce human-elephant conflict.

How are the contraceptive vaccines administered to elephants?

The contraceptive vaccines are administered by veterinarians and officials using a dart gun, without the need for anesthesia.

What is the current population of wild elephants in Thailand?

The number of wild elephants in Thailand increased from 334 in 2015 to almost 800 last year.

Home / Environment / Thailand's Elephants Get Birth Control Jab

Thailand's Elephants Get Birth Control Jab

28 Jan

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Summary

Wild elephants in Thailand received contraceptive vaccines for the first time.
The aim is to manage a ballooning elephant population and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Vaccinated elephants are monitored with follow-up blood checks every six months.

Thailand's Elephants Get Birth Control Jab

In a pioneering conservation effort, Thailand has administered contraceptive vaccines to wild elephants for the first time. Wildlife authorities and a veterinary team recently gave the injections to three female elephants in southeastern Trat province using a dart gun. This initiative seeks to manage the rapidly growing wild elephant population, which has seen an eight percent annual birth rate increase in five eastern provinces.

The decision stems from concerns over escalating human-elephant conflict, which has tragically resulted in nearly 200 human fatalities and over 100 elephant deaths since 2012. Wild elephant numbers have nearly doubled from 334 in 2015 to approximately 800 last year. The administered vaccine has previously undergone successful testing on captive elephants.