Zoo in central Thailand accused of mistreating elephants

A zoo in central Thailand’s province of Samut Prakan has been accused of mistreating its elephants. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation found four elephants in bad condition at Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo. Now, the zoo’s management is liable to a fine of up to 40,000 baht.

Officials from the department found the elephants to be unusually thin. They were also living in a dirty environment, showing that the elephants’ living spaces were not regularly cleaned. The officials considered the zoo management to be violating the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act, by failing to guarantee the elephants’ welfare.

The officials have now ordered the zoo management to feed the elephants enough grass for their weight and give them dietary supplements. The officials also advised the zoo’s staff to not chain the elephants for too long. The department will determine later whether or not the zoo has improved its care for elephants.

Thailand has issues with its treatment of animals, notably elephants. Following the Covid-19 outbreak, 22 elephants at a camp in Chiang Mai died after the camp had trouble caring for and feeding them. It’s expensive to care for the gentle giants, as they eat 10 tonnes of food every day. With fewer staff and a lack of tourists volunteering at the camp, the poor animals were left without enough care.

SOURCE: Pattaya Mail