Thailand is set to implement a contraceptive programme for its wild elephants in an effort to manage the rising population and reduce human-elephant conflicts. This initiative, led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), aims to stabilise elephant numbers in areas where overpopulation is leading to habitat destruction and increased encounters with local communities.
Growing elephant population and rising conflicts
Since 1986, the Asian elephant has been classified as endangered and is increasingly protected. Whereas a century ago, 100,000 wild elephants roamed the country’s forests, that number has declined dramatically. However, thanks to conservation efforts, the population has been growing by 8% each year, meaning there are now approximately 4,400 wild elephants in Thailand.
#Spotlight: Thailand is rolling out birth control—not for humans, but for its growing population of wild elephants. With deforestation shrinking their habitats, elephants have been wandering into farmland, homes, and, occasionally, right into human conflicts. | @alysonle pic.twitter.com/FHwYYaWbBU
— Firstpost (@firstpost) February 7, 2025
The number still appears quite small compared to the original, but according to the government, depleted forests drive animals towards populated areas. Some of them inflict damage on farmland, homes, and occasionally even on humans.
The Eastern Forest complex – spanning over five provinces and surrounded by agricultural land and industry – appears to be particularly problematic, with 4,700 incidents recorded in 2024, including the deaths of 19 individuals. As humans reduce the natural habitat of the animals on one hand while cultivating nourishing fields of crops within walking distance on the other, the elephants are compelled to search for food and space elsewhere, thus leading to conflicts.
In Thailand, five people suffered minor injuries when an elephant, taken illegally to the Nong Bua Lamphu Red Cross fair to beg for money, was frightened by fireworks and ran into the crowd. It happened during the opening ceremony on Saturday night.
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) January 21, 2025
The owner claimed the… pic.twitter.com/vejjiRuExK
In recent years, the Thai government has been experimenting with various methods to reconcile elephants and humans. After all, elephants hold significant cultural importance in Thailand and are the national animal. Patrol officers and volunteer networks have been creating barriers, establishing safe zones, and providing compensation to those whose properties have been damaged. They also inform people, particularly farmers, about the safest times of day to operate to avoid disturbing the elephants.
How the Contraceptive Programme Will Work
The government is set to trial another method: birth control. Following a successful trial last year involving seven domesticated elephants using the contraceptive SpayVac, 20 wild female elephants that have already borne calves will be administered the medication before the year concludes.
According to Dr Supakit Vinitpornsawan, director of the centre for helping individuals affected by wildlife at the Department of National Parks (DNP), the treatment will last approximately seven years, with veterinarians closely monitoring the elephant through blood samples. Furthermore, the director states that this measure aims to slow reproduction among wild elephants, rather than eliminating it entirely.
Many are now raising concerns about the measure, arguing that instead the agricultural and industrial lands surrounding forest areas ought to be reclaimed. Furthermore, according to some, not enough testing has been conducted to ensure there will be no long-term negative effects of the birth control on the animals.
