In an effort to mitigate escalating conflicts between humans and wild elephants, Thai authorities have initiated a controversial sterilisation programme using vaccines to control the growing elephant population. The plan comes in response to decades of tensions as elephants increasingly stray into farmlands and communities, resulting in significant loss of life and property. Since 2012, at least 240 people have been killed, and 208 others injured in such incidents.
The sterilisation initiative follows the approval of six measures in April 2023 by Thailand’s Elephant Conservation and Management Committee to address human-elephant conflicts. These include expanding forestland, building buffer zones, forming monitoring teams, supporting affected communities, managing elephant habitats, and controlling the elephant population. The programme is being trialled in the country’s eastern forests, where the elephant population has already surpassed the ecosystem’s capacity.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on defended the programme, citing an annual wild elephant birthrate of 7-8%, which could increase their numbers to 6,000 within four years. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has adopted SpayVac, a vaccine developed by the US Department of Agriculture and manufactured by American Vaccination Inc. This vaccine, costing $250 per dose, has been previously used on African elephants and is effective for up to seven years.
DNP Director-General Atthaphon Charoenchansa noted that SpayVac had been tested on seven domesticated female elephants since April 2024, with results showing no adverse effects or behavioral changes. However, critics remain skeptical about its safety and efficacy. Andaman Adana of the Fight for Elephants Network argued that seven months of monitoring was insufficient for a vaccine purported to last seven years. Theerapat Trungprakan of the Thai Elephant Alliance echoed concerns, urging full transparency and questioning whether the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts.
Environmentalists also point to the historical context, highlighting that elephants roamed the plains for centuries before human encroachment pushed them into forested uplands. They argue that habitat loss, not overpopulation, is the primary driver of conflicts.
While sterilisation is intended to ensure sustainable coexistence, critics argue that additional measures, such as constructing fences and providing compensation for losses, are necessary. Meanwhile, communities affected by these conflicts hope for swift and effective solutions to reduce the human and animal casualties that have marked this long-standing issue.
The programme has sparked a broader debate on balancing conservation with human safety. Officials, activists, and local stakeholders continue to navigate the complexities of protecting Thailand’s elephant population while addressing the challenges posed by its expansion.
