With the decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even Thailand’s elephants have been affected, as the animals once dependent on tourist attractions now face a lack of food and care.
More than 100 elephants, unable to rely on the now-empty commercial camps and sanctuaries, have been sent back to their native homes, some traveling up to 150 kilometers (95 miles) on foot.

The Save Elephant Foundation, based in Chiang Mai, has been encouraging the return of elephants to their home villages where they can roam in greener areas.
The foundation is also engaged in fundraising efforts to feed elephants still
living in tourist camps. Still, they believe that relocating these animals to
their natural environments allows them to be more self-reliant.

The situation is dire. According to World Animal Protection, a London-based group, nearly 2,000 elephants are at risk of starving because their owners cannot afford to feed them.
In recent weeks, over 100 elephants have journeyed from various parts of Chiang Mai to their homeland in Mae Chaem, a region filled with villages home to the Karen ethnic group, who have traditionally cared for elephants.
Saengduean Chailert, the founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, launched the initiative after elephant owners requested help.

Her organization focuses on creating eco-friendly, sustainable communities where elephants can coexist with local villagers. She has long criticized the mistreatment of elephants in many high-traffic tourist spots.
One of the owners, Sadudee Serichevee, who runs the Karen Elephant Experience park in Mae Wang district, tried to follow the foundation’s model by bringing in elephants from Ban Huay Bong, his wife’s home village. However, the pandemic left him with no choice but to return the elephants to their village.
“At first, I thought things would return to normal in a month or two, but by the end of April, I lost hope,” Sadudee said.

With monthly costs approaching 200,000 baht ($6,250), which included land rental, food, and salaries for handlers, the financial strain became unbearable. Elephants can consume up to 300 kilograms (660 lbs) of grass and vegetables daily.
Unable to afford trucking costs, Sadudee and other owners decided to walk their elephants 150 kilometers back to their home villages.
The journey began on April 30 and took the group over hills and across both paved and dirt roads. When they finally arrived in Ban Huay Bong, the elephants were greeted with a celebration.

“These elephants haven’t been home in 20 years. They seemed so happy, making joyful sounds and running straight to the village creek to play with the children,” Sadudee shared.
The project has expanded to other regions, including Surin province, which is well-known for its annual elephant festival. Last month, around 40 elephants returned to Tha Tum district in Surin.
Saengduean Chailert expressed concern for the future, saying, “We don’t know when COVID-19 will end, so we must focus on feeding these elephants who have been left without work because of the pandemic.”

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