{"id":2572279,"date":"2026-02-21T15:03:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T20:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thailand-uses-a-birth-control-vaccine-to-curb-its-elephant-population-near-expanding-farms\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T15:09:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T20:09:02","slug":"thailand-uses-a-birth-control-vaccine-to-curb-its-elephant-population-near-expanding-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thailand-uses-a-birth-control-vaccine-to-curb-its-elephant-population-near-expanding-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its elephant population near expanding farms"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthailand-uses-a-birth-control-vaccine-to-curb-its-elephant-population-near-expanding-farms%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2572279&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Thailand is trialing a birth-control vaccine on wild elephants to reduce human-elephant conflicts as farms push into forests.The program, using a U.S.-made vaccine, began with a two-year trial on seven domesticated elephants (seven doses used) and, in late January, administered to three wild elephants in Trat province. Officials plan to target more areas as they use up the remaining doses (about 15 left from a total of 25).<\/p>\n<p>The vaccine is designed to prevent fertilization for about seven years without stopping ovulation, after which a booster would be needed if the elephants are to reproduce again. The initiative targets roughly 800 of Thailand\u2019s about 4,400 wild elephants living in conflict-prone zones where birth rates are higher (about 8.2% per year) than the national average (around 3.5%). In addition to vaccination,authorities are improving forest resources,fencing,and ranger guidance to keep elephants away from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-fights-a-bobcat-attacking-his-family-in-wild-viral-video\/\" title=\"Man Fights A Bobcat Attacking His Family In ... Viral Video\">residential areas<\/a>. The program has drawn criticism from some who worry it could undermine conservation efforts. Thailand\u2019s elephants hold cultural meaning and have long been part of the nation\u2019s identity.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fair-to-tell-her-stories-of-healthy-ecosystems-author-questions-reading-classic-kids-books-to-his-daughter-in-nyt-piece\/\" title=\"\u2018Fair To Tell Her Stories Of Healthy Ecosystems?\u2019 Author Questions Reading Classic Kids\u2019 Books To His Daughter In NYT Piece\">elephant population<\/a> near expanding farms<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2511780\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>BANGKOK (AP) &mdash;<\/strong>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/thailand\">Thailand<\/a>&nbsp;has begun using a birth control vaccine on&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/elephants\">elephants<\/a>&nbsp;in the wild to try and curb a growing problem where human and animal populations encroach on each other &mdash; an issue in areas where farms spread into forests and elephants are squeezed out of their natural habitat.<\/p>\n<p>The initiative is part of efforts to address confrontations that can turn deadly. As farmers cut down forests to make more farmland, elephants are forced to venture out of their shrinking habitats in search of food.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4466426\/japan-gifts-250-cherry-blossom-trees-tidal-basin\/\">Japan gifts 250 cherry blossom trees to be planted on tidal basin<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4465843\/inside-trump-administration-efforts-pressure-cuba-communist-regime-out\/\">Inside the Trump administration&#8217;s efforts to pressure Cuba&#8217;s communist regime out<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4465578\/us-trade-partners-proceed-with-caution-trump-tariff-pivot\/\">US trade partners proceed with caution as they wait for Trump&#8217;s tariff pivot after Supreme Court decision<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Last year, wild elephants killed 30 people and injured 29 in Thailand, according to official figures, which also noted more than 2,000 incidents of elephants damaging crops.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/restoring-america\/community-family\/4465612\/planned-parenthood-funding-america-250\/\"><strong>OPINION: LET&rsquo;S NOT GIVE PLANNED PARENTHOOD A PRESENT FOR AMERICA&rsquo;S 250TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sukhee Boonsang, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, recently told The Associated Press that controlling the wild elephant population has become necessary as numbers of elephants living near residential areas rises sharply, increasing the risk of confrontations.<\/p>\n<p>The office obtained 25 doses of a U.S.-made vaccine and conducted a two-year trial on seven domesticated elephants &mdash; using up seven doses of the vaccine &mdash; which yielded promising results, he said. He explained the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/icymi-video-of-rfk-jr-pile-driving-bill-maher-over-vax-on-his-own-show-left-audience-applauding-for-kennedy\/\" title=\"ICYMI: Video Of RFK Jr. Pile-Driving Bill Maher Over Vax on His Own Show - Left Audience Applauding for Kennedy\">vaccine doesn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t stop female elephants from ovulating but prevents eggs from being fertilized.<a><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then, in late January, the vaccine was administered to three wild elephants in eastern Trat province, he said, adding that authorities are now determining which areas to target next as they prepare to use up the remaining 15 doses.<\/p>\n<p>The vaccine can prevent pregnancy for seven years and the elephants will be able to reproduce again if they don&rsquo;t receive a booster after that time expires. Experts will closely monitor the vaccinated elephants throughout the seven-year period.<\/p>\n<p>The vaccination drive has drawn criticism that it might undermine conservation efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Thailand has a centuries-old tradition of using domesticated elephants in farming and transportation. Elephants are also a big part of&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/general-news-7be0fd63f9244a2684a4a530fbd75ce9\">Thailand&rsquo;s national identity<\/a>&nbsp;&mdash; and have been officially proclaimed a symbol of the nation.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4465939\/duffy-announces-all-commercial-drivers-license-tests-will-only-be-given-in-english\/\"><strong>DUFFY ANNOUNCES ALL COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE TESTS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN IN ENGLISH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sukhee said the program targets only wild elephants in areas with the highest rates of violent human-elephant conflict. Official statistics show a birth rate of wild elephants in these regions at approximately 8.2% per year, more than double the national average of around 3.5%.<\/p>\n<p>About 800 out of the nation&rsquo;s approximately 4,400 wild elephants live in these conflict-prone areas, Sukhee said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If we don&rsquo;t take action, the impact on people living in these areas will continue to grow until it becomes unmanageable,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the contraception vaccine, authorities have implemented other measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/never-ending-litigation-biden-administration-proposes-road-blocks-to-its-own-infrastructure-priorities\/\" title=\"\u2018Never-Ending Litigation\u2019: Biden Administration Proposes Road Blocks To Its Own Infrastructure Priorities\">reduce conflict<\/a>, Sukhee said, such as creating additional water and food sources within the forests where elephants live, constructing protective fencing, and deploying rangers to guide elephants that stray into residential areas back into the wild.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >court-ordered operation earlier<\/a> this month to remove wild elephants that have repeatedly clashed with locals in northeastern Khon Kaen province sparked a public outcry after one elephant died during the relocation process.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4465324\/trump-considering-small-iran-strike\/\"><strong>TRUMP &lsquo;CONSIDERING&rsquo; SMALL-SCALE IRAN STRIKE AS NEGOTIATING TACTIC<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>An initial autopsy revealed that the elephant died from choking after anesthesia was administered ahead of the move, officials said.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation carried out the relocation effort, and its director general, Athapol Charoenshunsa, expressed regret over the incident while insisting that protocol was followed properly. He said an investigation was underway to prevent such incidents from happening again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thailand vaccinates wild elephants to curb rise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2572280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ae818750c55ba75dfd67991865c625d4-scaled-e1771701095480.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[74285,74284,20806],"class_list":["post-2572279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-birth-control-vaccine","tag-elephants-2","tag-thailand"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ae818750c55ba75dfd67991865c625d4-scaled-e1771701095480.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2572279"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572283,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572279\/revisions\/2572283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}