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Abandoned Elephant Calf Faces Tough Future After Rescue

1/2/2026

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Khao Tom, a two-month-old elephant, was abandoned for a congenital disorder and separated from her herd.
She was rescued in Thailand and has received care at the Bueng Chawak wildlife rescue center since September.
Abandoned calf numbers rose from about two per year (2015–2022) to 14 in 2025.
Experts cite habitat loss and human-elephant conflict as factors, making Khao Tom unlikely to return to the wild.

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Story summary

Khao Tom, a two-month-old elephant, was abandoned for a congenital disorder and separated from her herd.
She was rescued in Thailand and has received care at the Bueng Chawak wildlife rescue center since September.
Abandoned calf numbers rose from about two per year (2015–2022) to 14 in 2025.
Experts cite habitat loss and human-elephant conflict as factors, making Khao Tom unlikely to return to the wild.