Story perspectives

Thailand Uses Birth-Control Vaccine to Curb Wild Elephant Conflicts

2/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Thailand has begun using a birth-control vaccine on wild elephants to reduce human-elephant conflicts from habitat loss.
Last year, wild elephants killed 30 people, injured 29, and caused over 2,000 crop-damage incidents.
Sukhee Boonsang, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, says population control is needed as elephants move closer to homes.
The Wildlife Conservation Office monitors vaccinated elephants after a two-year trial on domesticated elephants using a US-made vaccine.

1 of 1

Story summary

Thailand has begun using a birth-control vaccine on wild elephants to reduce human-elephant conflicts from habitat loss.
Last year, wild elephants killed 30 people, injured 29, and caused over 2,000 crop-damage incidents.
Sukhee Boonsang, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, says population control is needed as elephants move closer to homes.
The Wildlife Conservation Office monitors vaccinated elephants after a two-year trial on domesticated elephants using a US-made vaccine.