Thailand is set to introduce birth control for a limited number of wild female elephants this year as it grapples with rising human-elephant conflicts.
Asian elephants have been classified as endangered since 1986. However, conservation efforts in Thailand have led to an annual population growth of 8%, straining the country’s diminishing forests. As a result, elephants are increasingly venturing into human settlements, damaging farms, homes, and even causing fatalities.
The use of birth control remains controversial, with some conservationists arguing that its long-term effects on elephants are not well understood. Similar contraceptive methods have been used on wild African elephants in South Africa. Last year, Thailand conducted a trial using SpayVac on seven domesticated elephants, with no reported negative effects. The contraceptive will be delivered via dart injection into a large muscle, such as the hip or front leg.
Dr. Supakit Vinitpornsawan, director of the Department of National Parks (DNP) center for human-wildlife conflict resolution, stated that around 20 wild female elephants that have previously given birth will receive the contraceptive, which will remain effective for seven years. Veterinarians will monitor the elephants closely, checking their physical health and hormone levels over time.
The goal is not to eliminate reproduction but to temporarily slow population growth while implementing additional strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict, Supakit explained. The issue is particularly sensitive in Thailand, where elephants hold deep cultural and historical significance as the national animal.
Thailand is home to approximately 4,422 wild elephants, with about half residing in five major forest regions. The Eastern Forest Complex, spanning five provinces, is the most affected area, surrounded by agricultural land and industrial development. Human expansion has fragmented elephant habitats, making cohabitation increasingly challenging.
In 2023, the DNP recorded 4,700 human-elephant conflict incidents in the Eastern Forest Complex, including 19 human fatalities, 22 injuries, 594 cases of farmland destruction, and 67 cases of property damage.
Experts point out that human development has not only encroached on elephant habitats but also diverted vital resources like water, forcing elephants to leave the forest. Agricultural lands filled with sugarcane and high-energy crops attract elephants, as they provide an easy food source. Researcher Taan Wannagul from the Eastern Elephants Education Centre explained that in the wild, elephants spend around 22 hours foraging and travel up to 10 km to find enough food. However, in agricultural areas, they can feed to satisfaction in just one hour.
To address this issue, Taan emphasized the need to improve forest conditions for elephants and help farmers adapt. He suggested that farmers reduce the size of their fields to minimize damage risks and shift rubber tapping to daytime hours to avoid encounters with elephants. Government incentives could assist in making these adjustments.
Thailand is employing multiple strategies to manage human-elephant conflict, including patrol teams, community networks, physical barriers like fences, and designated safe zones for elephants that frequently enter human areas. Compensation is also provided to those who suffer property or crop damage.
Some advocate for reclaiming land around forests to restore elephant habitats, but Supakit acknowledged the difficulty of reversing development in areas where industries and communities are already established.
The DNP has conducted public hearings on the birth control initiative and plans to begin administering the contraceptive before the year’s end.
