[Page Updated – 10 October 2024]
No, wild elephants are not found living in habitats anywhere within Krabi province. The closest Asian Elephants living in nature can be found in Surat Thani province at a Thailand National Park called “Khao Sok.” Thousands of elephants are used in Thailand for working to haul logs, taking tourists around for rides, and dressing them up in costumes for stupid festivals. The state of exploitation for the wildlife in Thailand is at a stage you’d never imagine.
The wild Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is a majestic and iconic species found in various parts of Asia, including Thailand. Here is some information about the wild Asian elephants found less and less often in Thailand as their native habitat is taken away by humans encroaching on national park boundaries.
Where Are Wild Elephants Found?
Population and Distribution – Thailand is home to a significant population of wild Asian elephants that is a fraction of the number they once were. They are only found in forested areas and protected habitats, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Some of the key elephant habitats in Thailand include Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Khao Yai National Park, and Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Here, elephants roam free as they should be.
How Big Are Thailand’s Elephants?
Appearance and Size – Asian elephants are the largest land animals in Asia. They have strong, thick bodies with gray skin and high-domed heads. They have large, fan-like ears and two long, curved tusks, which are really elongated upper incisor teeth that jut out forward. Their ears are MUCH smaller than African elephants.
The size of Asian elephants can vary a lot, with males generally larger than females. On average, males can reach a height of 2.5-3 meters at the shoulder and weigh between 4,500 and 5,500 kilograms. That’s over 12,000 lb.!
Behavior – Wild Asian elephants are highly social animals, living in family groups known as herds. A typical herd consists of adult females and their offspring, led by a matriarch (female in charge). Adult males tend to be more solitary or form temporary associations with other males.
They have a complex social structure and communicate through a variety of vocalizations, body language, and tactile interactions.
What Do Elephants in Thailand Eat?
Diet – Asian elephants are herbivores, primarily feeding on a variety of plant materials. Their diet includes grasses, leaves, fruits, bark, and even crops in areas where human-elephant conflict occurs. They have a large appetite and can consume a substantial amount of food each day in the range of 150 kg of plant matter to meet their nutritional needs.
Should you feed them?
No. Please don’t buy food to feed them from the mahouts. They are forcing the elephants to stand still for many hours a day to be fed, instead of naturally foraging in the forest or at least a large conservation area.
Asian Elephant Conservation Challenges – Asian elephants are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They face numerous threats, including habitat loss due to deforestation, fragmentation of habitats, and human-wildlife conflict.
Illegal wildlife trade, Exploitation by Tourist Organizations, poaching for ivory, and conflicts with agricultural activities are additional challenges that impact the wild elephant populations.
How Can We Help Elephants in Thailand?
First, don’t visit elephant “sanctuaries.” In most cases, they are not at all. They still offer rides, sitting on elephants, forced photos, forced bathing, etc. Leave the elephants to do whatever they want to do without interference by man. It’s a horrible state of things here for wildlife in Thailand.
Don’t make it worse.
Conservation Efforts – Thailand has attempted to implement a number of conservation initiatives to protect and preserve its wild Asian elephant populations. This includes the establishment of protected areas, and wildlife corridors, and the implementation of anti-poaching measures.
Community-based conservation projects and initiatives promoting coexistence between humans and elephants are also in place to mitigate conflicts and support the long-term survival of these magnificent creatures.
Ultimately, these matter little because baby elephants are STILL being taken out of the wild and broken using horrific means, and then thrown into the Tourist Industry to suffer exploitation for the rest of their lives. It’s a sick state of things and Thailand’s ruling party, whomever they are at the moment, has little regard for animals at all.
The state of elephants, reptiles, birds, slow lorises, and other wild animals being exploited for money in the ‘kingdom’ is disgusting.
Thailand’s wild Asian elephants are a vital part of the country’s natural heritage. Conservation efforts and public awareness play a crucial role in ensuring their survival and promoting harmonious coexistence with local communities.
- Thailand Elephant Riding (Don’t Do It, Here Is WHY)
- Krabi Wildlife >
