Hungry Elephants Are Destroying More and More Plantations in Thailand due to Climate Change

Hungry Elephants Are Destroying More and More Plantations in Thailand due to Climate Change
What would you do if you found giants raiding your garden? A herd of elephants feasting on bananas and potatoes that you were looking forward to harvesting?
Like Chamras Sroichampa, there must be nothing much you can do but simply watch from a safe hiding place and report the matter to wildlife authorities when the danger has passed.
width= Photo: YouTube/Wildlife Conservation Society

This particular incident occurred in Nong Pradu village in the Prachin Buri district of Thailand, as reported by Bangkok Post. A herd of elephants ventured into the village in search of food, just after midnight. The villagers believed that the animals came from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies close to their settlement.
This human-elephant conflict in Thailand has been going on for years, worsening in recent times due to the effects of climate change, along with habitat destruction and fragmentation. In a study of this particular problem in western Thailand, 54.3% of plantation owners who participated in the survey revealed that their plantations are raided by elephants every day, with 95.7% admitting that they have experienced an elephant raid at least once a month.
width= Photo: You/Tube/Wildlife Conservation Society

In order to deter elephants, most plantation owners have resorted to using firecrackers, which they claimed to be the most effective method. Less than 50% of these survey respondents used electric fencing, while others utilize fire, flashlights, shouts, cars, and dogs to drive away the giant animals that have been causing destruction to their crops and properties.
But, with more severe droughts hitting Thailand, these problems with elephant raids may just further worsen. In the aforementioned study, the majority of plantation owners want elephants to be eradicated. In other countries, like Sumatra and India, farmers killed 60 elephants to retaliate.
width= PHOTO: YOU/TUBE/WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

In Sri Lanka, where the highest density of elephants in Asia could be found before, populations have declined to over 50% in the past years. But desperation among these giant pachyderms has made them bold enough to fight for survival, resulting in more deaths between humans and elephants. It's so sad because elephants in Sri Lanka, just like in Thailand, were once an important part of the country's culture and pride.
Conservationists have been zealous in seeking co-existence between humans and elephants. But with climate change further aggravating the problem, the situation in Thailand and other regions with similar human-wildlife conflicts can be very, very challenging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y7K6k51SzI
Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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