Thousands of domesticated elephants in Thailand’s commercial industry are now out of work and may soon face starvation as the coronavirus pandemic continues to enforce lockdown measures and travel bans throughout the globe.
“The elephants are not starving yet,” Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, told Thai Enquirer, “But I am afraid the ongoing outbreak will make the money [in the industry] run dry and there will definitely be bigger problems and concerns in the three months to come.”
According to a report by the World Animal Protection (WAP), there are around 2,500 captive elephants employed for commercial and tourism purposes, such as elephant tours, rides, and performances in Thailand.
“Ever since the outbreak began, all the visitors are gone. A light has been completely switched off in the industry,” Lek Chailert, founder of Elephant Nature Park (ENP) told Thai Enquirer. “The revenue is now zero but the budget to take care of and feed these elephants are still the same.”
“The elephants have been abandoned.”
The coronavirus outbreak has forced these elephant camps throughout the country to cut down on their budget to survive. One of those decisions was laying off hundreds of staff and mahouts, causing the elephants even more distress, according to Lek.
“The mahouts are also suffering as well.” Lek pointed out, “They are out of jobs and money to feed and take care of their elephants.”
Lek’s foundation has rescued over 23 elephants since the outbreak, but it is not sustainable due to budget cuts and the lack of space. Lek has had to send some elephants over to other foundations in the area.
Thailand’s drought, Chiang Mai’s forest fires, and the air pollution crisis in the north have also compounded to this entire problem. Money and attention are not being directed and prioritized on the matter and there are less resources and options to feed and take care of the elephants.
