Thai activist Tankhun Jitt-its area has called for an investigation into the Elephant Foundation in Chiang Mai, which failed to relocate its elephants before a major flood hit the area, resulting in the deaths of three elephants.

His calls for an investigation follow the deaths of three elephants from the Save Elephant Foundation, one of Thailand’s’ largest sanctuaries. Two elephants were swept away during evacuation efforts last week, and another died this week due to shock and stress.

This week, Ms. Saengduean Chailert, founder of Save the Elephant Foundation, arranged the burial and cremation of its lost elephants to reduce their environmental impact.

Addressing recent criticism, she told Thai media, “We are a care center, not an elephant camp.” It takes diverse approaches to caring for sick, aging, or abused elephants. She defended her practice of enclosing elephants without the customary constraints after it was called into question.

Elephant Foundation Chiang Mai — Elephants rescued after severe flooding at Save the Elephant Foundation in Chiang Mai – MCOT Image.

The Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary suffered severe damage from floods, necessitating the evacuation of every animal. Some elephants were hard to rescue because they roamed freely in fenced areas without leg restraints, which stirred controversy among critics.

“The critics will always criticize,” Ms. Saengduean said, “even if they have never been to our elephant sanctuary. My focus is on caring for these abused and injured animals and the people who support us.”

Elephant conservationist Phra Aod, a monk at Chedi Luang Temple, supported Ms. Saengduean’s methods. He stated that this tragic loss emphasizes the need to protect elephants, especially in severe calamities. In the future, we must be better prepared and learn from this catastrophe.

In the meantime, after severe floods ruined their supplies, twenty elephant shelters in Chiang Mai are asking for food contributions to feed over 300 elephants. Many people in Chiang Mai have been affected by the recent flooding, including those in the Mae Taeng area, home to several elephant camps.

Almost all the elephant camps have been flooded, and their food supplies have been wiped out, leaving them unable to provide for their elephants.

Source: MCOT