In Thailand, humans and elephants have lived side by side in a relatively peaceful coexistence. However, this relationship is now being threatened due to increasing human population and loss of elephant habitats. Elephants and humans are being forced to compete for shared resources.

1) Loss of Habitat

Over the last century, forest cover in Thailand has dropped dramatically, due principally to economic and industrial development. The Elephant Nature Foundation described deforestation trends in Thailand between 1961, when forest cover was estimated at 53.3% of the land and in 1995, only 22.8% was still covered with forests. Although deforestation enable economic and industrial development to build a thriving country, but it threatens the habitat of the elephants. This predicament poses a serious problem to the elephant’s continued existence.

2) Crop Damage

Footprints of elephants left on crops.

Crop Damage is perhaps the most prevalent form of conflict. When elephants damage food and cash crops, they affect a farmer’s livelihoods. Elephants can destroy large area of crops in a single night. Crop damage not only affects a farmer’s ability to feed the family, it also reduces cash income and ultimately, development (Parker et al, 2007).

3) Human Death and Injury

An elephant destroying vehicle and threatening human lives.

Elephants kill and injure people across Thailand. Some died while trying to protect their crops or while walking at night between neighbouring villages. Although human death is less common than crop damage, it is the most severe manifestation of Human-Elephant Conflict and is universally regarded as intolerble.

4) Elephant Damage to Properties

Elephants may cause extensive damage to properties such as fencing and water installation.