What problems are elephants facing here in Thailand?
*Loss of natural habitat. 50 years ago 60% of Thailand was covered by forest, that figure is now below 20% and is still falling due to illegal logging and encroachment. Wild elephants only survive in a few national parks with limited genetic interchange. Conflicts with people often result in more elephant deaths. * Logging was banned in 1989, and there is little use for elephant power in the modern world. Elephants with their mahouts (keepers) have taken to begging in the streets of major cities. Tourism may help but exploitation often results. *Elephants are slow and difficult to breed, only about 4 offspring in a life time, male elephants can be aggressive and dangerous at certain times (when in musth), few offspring are born, the young may be mistreated and die. *Elephants often die needlessly due to accidents, injuries, illnesses, conflicts with man when they are shot dead instead of tranquilized. People experienced in looking after elephants are getting fewer every years. Well ove
