Forum debates contraceptive vaccines for wild elephant control
The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) convened a forum on January 17 to discuss the use of contraceptive vaccines as a means to manage the population of wild elephants and address their movement beyond designated conservation areas.
The forum attracted around 300 participants, including community representatives, academics, elephant conservation groups, and members of Parliament. Opinions were divided; some supported the use of contraceptive vaccines, while others doubted their effectiveness in preventing wild elephants from encroaching on local communities.
DNP Director General Athapol Charoenshunsa reported that approximately 4,013 to 4,422 wild elephants inhabit 91 conservation areas across the country. The issue of wild elephants straying from their designated habitats affects communities in five key forest complexes: the Western Forest, Eastern Forest, Dong Phaya Yen–Khao Yai Forest, Phu Khieo–Nam Nao Forest, and Kaeng Krachan Forest.
Human-elephant conflicts have been documented in over 41 conservation areas spanning 42 provinces.
Athapol noted that wild elephants venturing outside forests have caused damage to agricultural and residential areas, occasionally resulting in human fatalities. Since 2012, wild elephants have been responsible for 240 deaths and 208 injuries. Athapol emphasised the urgent need to address this issue.
A committee on National Elephant Conservation and Management has outlined guidelines encompassing six areas: habitats for wild elephants, barriers against wild elephants, a monitoring and community network, aid for affected individuals, sustainable management of areas to manage wild elephants, and controlling wild elephant populations through birth control vaccines.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on supports the use of vaccines as a method to control the elephant population.
The department has collaborated with the Elephant and Wildlife Health Centre at Chiang Mai University to study the SpayVac contraceptive vaccines. Previously used on African elephants, these vaccines were tested in April 2024 on seven adult female elephants.
Each dose was found to inhibit hormonal functions necessary for reproduction for up to seven years, without affecting the elephants’ behaviour, Athapol stated.
Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, head of the National Park Office, expressed concerns about the high cost of importing vaccines and the logistical challenges in their application. He noted that vaccinating wild animals poses risks to both humans and elephants and requires skilled teams, reported Bangkok Post.
Chaiwat suggested that the vaccination project should be abandoned in favour of alternatives, such as reclaiming habitats for the elephants.
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