BANGKOK — Thailand’s wild elephant contraceptive vaccine trials to begin January 2025; National Parks Authority chief stresses population control need, targeting eastern forests.
Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, explained on December 30 about the efforts to solve the problems with wild elephants. He emphasized the importance of balanced coexistence between humans and elephants, which requires effective population management. The proposed measures include:
- The introduction of contraceptive vaccines for elephants.
- Establishment of buffer zones between humans and elephants with careful consideration of feasibility and budget constraints.
- Returning elephants to the forest, e.g. by isolating rogue elephants and closely monitoring them.
He noted that there are currently over 4,000 elephants in Thailand, with an annual birth rate of 7–8 percent. If left unchecked, the population could rise to 6,000 within four years, exceeding the capacity of existing forest areas. This would exacerbate the problems of wild elephants damaging crops and endangering people. Therefore, it is crucial for a sustainable coexistence between nature and humans to stop the birth rate.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation plans to test and expand the use of contraceptive vaccines in wild elephants in Thailand’s eastern region from January 2025. If successful, the initiative will be extended to other groups and target areas.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, acknowledged the public’s concerns about the project and explained its objectives. He emphasized that conflicts between humans and elephants have led to significant losses in 42 provinces. From 2012 to date, 240 people have been killed and 208 injured in incidents involving wild elephants, and significant damage has been caused to property and crops.
The ministry is addressing these challenges with a six-point plan, including the use of contraceptive vaccines, to control the elephant population and reduce human-elephant conflict. Atthapol emphasized that this urgent initiative is in line with Minister Chalermchai’s directive to mitigate the impact on human lives and property while preparing for the predicted rapid increase in elephant populations in certain areas.
In collaboration with the Elephant and Wildlife Health Center at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai College, the department has developed a research project using the contraceptive vaccine “SpayVac®”,” which has previously been used successfully in African elephants.
The study began in April 2024 and involved seven adult female elephants. The researchers took blood samples, carried out health checks and monitored the elephants after vaccination. A single dose of the vaccine can prevent reproduction for up to seven years without affecting the elephants’ behavior or physiology. The vaccine does not affect pregnant elephants and does not disrupt the social dynamics of wild elephant herds.
Preliminary results indicate that the vaccine is safe and does not cause side effects or inflammation in the treated elephants. Based on these results, a pilot program will expand the use of long-term contraceptive vaccines to control elephant populations in areas of excessively high density, particularly in the eastern forests where conflicts are highest.
“If the issue is not addressed promptly, the loss of human lives could increase to as many as 100 people per year in the future. It is therefore essential to prioritize both the safety of people living near forest boundaries and the conservation of wild elephants,” said Atthapol Charoenchansa.
Atthapol explained that controlling the wild elephant population through contraceptive vaccines is part of a systematically planned solution. The approach includes rigorous operational plans supported by research, testing, monitoring and evaluation of results based on scientific principles and veterinary techniques.
Preparations include the provision of personnel, tools and medical supplies as well as clearly defined operational guidelines in all dimensions. This includes studying the population size, age structure and sex ratio of wild elephants in the area and identifying individual elephants within the herds.
“This project will provide a structured solution to the problems of wild elephants and forest area management. It aims to achieve a balanced population of wild elephants, reduce human-elephant conflicts and encourage all stakeholders and the public to participate more actively in conservation efforts,” said Atthapol.
In the past, Thai officials have faced significant challenges and exhaustion in field work, including returning elephants to the forest and supporting affected communities. Given the limited manpower, these efforts often resulted in injuries or even loss of life.
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