Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Thailand Uses Contraceptive Vaccine on Wild Elephants
Thailand is trying something new to help elephants and people live safely together.
They gave a special vaccine to three female elephants to stop them from having too many babies.
This is because there are more elephants now, and sometimes they fight with people.
The vaccine was given with a special gun that shoots darts, and the elephants are doing fine.
The goal is to make sure there are enough elephants, but not too many that they cause problems.
Thailand administered a contraceptive vaccine to three wild female elephants in Trat province.
The vaccine aims to curb an 8% annual population growth rate in eastern Thailand, higher than the national average of 3%.
The wild elephant population has grown from 300 in 2015 to nearly 800 in 2023.
Human-elephant conflicts have resulted in nearly 200 human deaths and 100 elephant fatalities since 2012.
The vaccine was administered remotely using dart guns, with no reported complications.
- Who
- Thailand's Wildlife Conservation Office
- What
- Administered contraceptive vaccine to wild elephants
- When
- Earlier this week (January 28, 2024)
- Where
- Trat province, southeast Thailand
- Why
- To curb rapid population growth and reduce human-elephant conflicts
- Population Growth
- 8% annually in eastern Thailand, 3% nationally
- Current Population
- Nearly 800 wild elephants (2023)
- Vaccine Administration
- Administered via dart guns to 3 female elephants
- Location
- Trat province, southeast Thailand
- Human-Elephant Conflicts
- Nearly 200 human deaths and 100 elephant fatalities since 2012