Where d'you want me to put 'em?
It is in the quiet times that you get to thinking isn't it? When the world's locked out and there isn't something to be done in half an hour three quarters of an hour's drive away, when you're driving Moskva back from town through the sunset, when it's half raining and you're lying in a hammock next to Bua Tong wondering if she could look any more like a caricature ele.
When the guests aren't so many and all the work is either in Thai or takes skills you don't have, when you sit by the rising river where the babies are playing in the swamp, you look around and you think, what are we going to do with all these things in fifteen years time?
There are many debates raging about the best ways to look after, make a living from/make a living for domestic eles, what is acceptable and what is not; sometimes it seems that if you stick five of us in a room and we might be able to agree on the colour of the ceiling as long as the light was switched on but that's about it.
One thing I think we all, at least the conservation minded folks, sort of can shake hands on is that in an ideal world the eles would be free in the forest and not have to be constrained in any way or beholden to man.
Whither the mahouts and their families? Whither tradition? Well we did say an ideal world and with a few honourable exclusions I think we also agree that the world isn't yet ideal - whether or not it is getting more or less ideal is a debate for another page.
So if we're to de-habilitate our eles how would we go about it?
Some folks contend that just letting them go into Thailand's National Park system would solve the problem, money to support the ex-elephant owners could then be raised by charging guests to come and see them - I like this idea but how practical is it? Pondering, I would say we are some way off this as a usable solution because...
1, To the best of my knowledge no carrying capacity work has been done on the National Parks that don't currently, but could, hold elephants to let us know how eles per square km could be released - those parks that exist are far from prime ele habitat of swamp and grassland so my feeling is the capacity would be relatively low - is there enough National Park for 3,456 eles? (In 1990 Peter Jackson and the Asian Elephant Specialist Group estimated the capacity of Thailand's whole National Parks system, based on some rough but well informed assumptions, to be 1,500 at best).
2, Several of those parks that do hold wild elephants are already facing Human Elephant Conflict problems, possibly due to illegal encroachment and inappropriate planting of fodder crops close to park boundaries, wild elephant populations artificially increased due to year round access to water etc.
3, While there are eco- and otherwise tours operating in Khao Yai National Park, I know of no other park in Park in Thailand where ele spotting is considered easy and safe, almost by definition wild ele spotting in the mountains of South East Asia must be an exercise in limited numbers of tourists quietly tracking (or overlooking) elephants' favourite spots and waiting such as at the Baan Na project in Laos. The wild elephants I have seen in Thailand have either been products of two days hard trekking or sheer blind luck - but none a bankable, paying experience, at least not one you'd want to rely on to keep three thousand families out of the poorhouse.
The video isn't mine, but is of a wild ele in Khao Yai - easy and safe?
When the guests aren't so many and all the work is either in Thai or takes skills you don't have, when you sit by the rising river where the babies are playing in the swamp, you look around and you think, what are we going to do with all these things in fifteen years time?
There are many debates raging about the best ways to look after, make a living from/make a living for domestic eles, what is acceptable and what is not; sometimes it seems that if you stick five of us in a room and we might be able to agree on the colour of the ceiling as long as the light was switched on but that's about it.
One thing I think we all, at least the conservation minded folks, sort of can shake hands on is that in an ideal world the eles would be free in the forest and not have to be constrained in any way or beholden to man.
Whither the mahouts and their families? Whither tradition? Well we did say an ideal world and with a few honourable exclusions I think we also agree that the world isn't yet ideal - whether or not it is getting more or less ideal is a debate for another page.
So if we're to de-habilitate our eles how would we go about it?
Some folks contend that just letting them go into Thailand's National Park system would solve the problem, money to support the ex-elephant owners could then be raised by charging guests to come and see them - I like this idea but how practical is it? Pondering, I would say we are some way off this as a usable solution because...
1, To the best of my knowledge no carrying capacity work has been done on the National Parks that don't currently, but could, hold elephants to let us know how eles per square km could be released - those parks that exist are far from prime ele habitat of swamp and grassland so my feeling is the capacity would be relatively low - is there enough National Park for 3,456 eles? (In 1990 Peter Jackson and the Asian Elephant Specialist Group estimated the capacity of Thailand's whole National Parks system, based on some rough but well informed assumptions, to be 1,500 at best).
2, Several of those parks that do hold wild elephants are already facing Human Elephant Conflict problems, possibly due to illegal encroachment and inappropriate planting of fodder crops close to park boundaries, wild elephant populations artificially increased due to year round access to water etc.
3, While there are eco- and otherwise tours operating in Khao Yai National Park, I know of no other park in Park in Thailand where ele spotting is considered easy and safe, almost by definition wild ele spotting in the mountains of South East Asia must be an exercise in limited numbers of tourists quietly tracking (or overlooking) elephants' favourite spots and waiting such as at the Baan Na project in Laos. The wild elephants I have seen in Thailand have either been products of two days hard trekking or sheer blind luck - but none a bankable, paying experience, at least not one you'd want to rely on to keep three thousand families out of the poorhouse.
The video isn't mine, but is of a wild ele in Khao Yai - easy and safe?
Posted by John Roberts at Wed, 07 May 2008 07:30:00 GMT 
Categories: General Conservation, Regional Elephants
Categories: General Conservation, Regional Elephants
A GIANT PROBLEM
Elephant incursions on farmland around the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary are an ongoing challenge
Story by KLOYKAMOL SIRIBHAKDI and Photos courtesy of ELEPHANT CONSERVATION NETWORK
"They are very intelligent animals. They will wait until no cars are passing and then cross the street," said one officer. It takes 10 of them to surround the invaders and drive them away with firecrackers.
They are here almost every night in the dry season, from November to March or May, when the ripening corn or sugar cane crops lure elephants with their irresistible smells. Elephants usually pay a visit to farmlands at night, from about 8pm onwards, because it's quiet and they're less likely to be disturbed.
Perhaps the herd knew they were going to be ambushed that night, and they stayed away. Luckily for the farmers, their crops were safe for another night. But only for one night. The crop raids, or what the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) calls "human-elephant conflicts" (HEC), are a common problem found across the world, including Africa and South Asia. In Salakpra, the first incident was reported in 1982 and has persisted for more than 25 years, with more damage incurred in the last five years.
"It happens throughout the year, sometimes more than 30 times a month," said Jittin Ritthirat, manager and coordinator of the ECN, who has conducted research on the issue in this district.
At the beginning, the affected areas were in the vicinity of the sanctuary, before spreading southwards to the city of Kanchanaburi.
According to the report, 80 per cent of the affected farms lose less than 1,000 baht a year. Only 10 per cent, the large plantations, lose 30,000 to 50,000 baht a year.
When elephants raid farms, they not only devour crops but also destroy trees over a vast area due to their enormous size.
Human-elephant conflicts can be solved by respecting the problems of both sides.
Most of the farms grow single crops such as mango, papaya, sugar-cane or corn, all food that elephants love to eat. When the elephants raid the farms, they not only devour crops but also destroy trees over a vast area.
"After eating, they usually wander around, causing more damage. It's their habit," said Somchoke Arayawattanavej, owner of more than 48 hectares of sugar-cane plantation, who admitted that the damage is sometimes almost unbearable.
But it can take a while for the farmers to understand the elephants' grazing habits. At first, Jittin said, farm owners, especially those who were not locals and lived far away from the sanctuary, had a negative attitude towards the elephants.
"They were never aware that they lived so close to the sanctuary. They couldn't imagine how and why the elephants come to their farms," she said.
It's actually a case of perspective: The farmers assume that the large creatures are raiding their land, but from the elephants' point of view it is people who have invaded their territory. And it seems that deforestation and forest fragmentation in the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary has pushed the elephants to do such damage.
Following the construction of the Srinakarin Dam by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), some areas of the sanctuary have been lost, flooded as water filled the dam, and the western edge of the sanctuary was set aside as a site for the relocation of those who had to be evacuated from their now flooded villages.
Then, in 1972, a total of 2,700 hectares of the sanctuary were lost to a mining concession. In total, the sanctuary has lost about 105km2 over a five-year period, and that doesn't take into account the damage from forest encroachment by locals who have gradually depleted the forest in search of food and other resources, such as bamboo, a main food source for elephants.
"Bamboo cutting is done on an industrial scale. But it has no value for the local communities since the profit is made elsewhere," commented Belinda Stewart-Cox, director of the ECN during a workshop on human-elephant conflicts held recently in Kanchanaburi.
Deforestation is hastened by changes in land use, including the growth of fruit and crop farms, the turning of scenic locations on the banks of the Kwae Yai River into resorts and hotels, as well as the increase in cattle farming, a recent government-promoted policy.
There is no need for a formal study to show that elephants are being deprived of habitat, food and water, and are consequently being forced to raid farms to survive. The average daily food requirement of an adult bull elephant is about 150kg, and the crops offer an abundant food supply for the giant mammals. Also, some new farmland is located on well-used elephant tracks, so it's not surprising that these creatures of habit eat the food found on their familiar routes.
To solve the problem in the short term, Salakpra farmers employ several methods to drive the animals away. Noise, firecrackers and lights are common techniques. Man-made trenches and permanent barriers such as electric fences are the most popular and efficient options to prevent the elephants from accessing farmland.
To tackle the problem efficiently, the ECN suggests improving food and water sources in the forest, and for farmers to grow fruit or vegetables that are not as tempting to elephants' palates. Jittin added that a proper land use plan around Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary should also be put in action.
Whichever the chosen method, attitudes must be the first priority. Luckily, most farmers near the sanctuary have compassion and understanding towards elephants, and they are cooperating with NGOs and the government in order to find an answer. Kanok Duangplee, a native of Kanchanaburi whose farm is located south of Srinakarin Dam, used to plant corn but later switched to chillies simply because elephants dislike them. He also left a path on his land which is an old elephant track for them to use.
"I don't want to have problems with elephants. People and elephants can live together. We have similar ways of life - we also need water and food," he said sympathetically.
"Do you know that they don't like Kaek Dum papaya. They prefer Hawaii papaya," the farmer laughed when talking about the picky habit of elephants.
However, Stewart-Cox insisted that in long run, sustainability is the best solution. Protecting the elephants and forest conservation are what should be done.
Compared to other affected areas, such as Kaengkracharn National Park and Kuiburi National Park, the problems at Salakpra are on a smaller scale, but the director of the ECN insisted the area deserves attention. Ecologically, protecting the elephants is protecting the forest.
"The elephant is a flagship species. They play a vital role in the ecosystem," explained Jittin.
Usually, elephants would eat and walk all over the forest, so the seeds of the plants that they eat are excreted and grow in other areas too. When they reach up and crack top tree branches, other animals can eat the plants too. They also use their trunks to dig for underground water, which also benefits other animals. These are just a few examples of what elephants contribute to the ecological system.
Now, there are about 175 elephants in the sanctuary, and about 20 villages around Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary. Solving the problems of human-elephant conflict is based on how to mutually benefit both sides.
"It's challenging to find sustainable solutions that respect elephants and the forest as well as forest users and farmers," Stewart-Cox said.
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Elephants block road, kill man (Thailand)
CHAIWAT SATYAEM, Bangkok Post
Prachuap Khiri Khan _ A herd of wild elephants trampled a Karen man to death and injured his friend near a road in Hua Hin district yesterday.
The dead man was identified only as Bird.
He died of head injuries and multiple broken bones.
Haepo, 19, also a Karen, was treated in hospital for less serious hand and leg injuries.
Mr Haepo told police he was driving a motorcycle with Bird riding pillion. They were on their way home after a night out when they came across the elephants, which were blocking the Hua Hin-Ban Huay Satyai Pala-u road.
He said he tried to go around the animals but an elephant suddenly emerged from behind a nearby bush and charged at them.
As he tried to speed off to escape the attack, he lost control of his bike and it plunged into a roadside ditch.
The other elephants then joined in the attack, inflicting fatal injuries on Bird.
Realising that he could do nothing to help his friend, Mr Haepo ran to save his own life.
He took cover in the nearby woods until villagers came to his rescue.
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Asia-Pacific News
Wild elephants trample Thai monk to death
Bangkok - A herd of wild elephants trampled a Thai Buddhist monk to death and severely injured another who had entered the forest to meditate, media reports said Friday.
Nattaporn Kittiyano, 38, and Wichian Khemmako, 43, had strolled into the forest Wednesday evening at the Thap Lan National Park in Nakorn Ratchasima province, 200 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, to meditate when they chanced upon a herd of 11 wild pachyderms, including four babies, the Thai Rath newspaper reported.
The elephants surrounded the two monks, who attempted to hide in the bushes, and trampled Nattaporn to death and injuring Wichian, who managed to flee and alert fellow monks at the nearby Bolong temple.
When four other monks came to check on Nattaporn, the elephants chased them up a tree where they were forced to remain for almost two hours.
Thap Lan National Park director Yuthanna Sringernngam said this was the wrong season to stumble into elephants.
'This is elephant mating season, so they are very dangerous, and if you meet a herd of pachyderms now, you should just run away,' Yuthanna told the Thai Rath, a mass circulation daily.
He noted that under Thai law, wild elephants were a protected species, so no revenge would be sought for Nattaporn's death.
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Animal group's 'Naked Truth' adverts anger elephant owners
ANCHALEE KONGRUT
Laithongrien Meebhan, president of the Phra Kotchabarn Foundation, said the animal welfare advocacy group's advertising campaign featured chained naked models holding a banner demanding that elephants be freed.
Entitled, ''The Naked Truth: Elephants Should be Free,'' the campaign targets the estimated 2,500 elephants in the Thai tourist industry. Peta claims the animals are tortured and forced to perform circus-style tricks and give rides.
Mr Laithongrien said Peta promotes its cause through attention-grabbing public activities.
''But the group has never looked dhdeeply into the culture of elephant keeping,'' said Mr Laithongrien, who owns an elephant camp in Ayutthaya.
''I would say Peta people make their judgements from the Western viewpoint. It is a holier-than-thou attitude.
''No other people love elephants more than Thais do. No one can communicate with elephants better than Asian people.''
The controversial campaign made people feel elephants, once the transport of kings, were treated poorly.
He insisted chains were sometimes necessary to control the animals. Domestic elephants were chained as part of a mahout's traditional taming process.
Peta could not be contacted for comment, but an NGO which advocates wildlife conservation said the animal welfare group was right to raise the issue.
William Schaedla, country director for the World Wildlife Fund, said even though many elephants were in the good hands of highly responsible keepers, others were mistreated.
Soraida Salwala, founder of Friends of Asian Elephants, said Peta's campaign could trigger public interest in elephant problems. However, some messages in the campaign were misleading, particularly those about freeing elephants back into the wild and the use of chains during the training process.
Ms Soraida said the animals are cute when they are in a good mood.
''But when they get rowdy, they are unstoppable. You need to chain them sometimes, even when you give them a vaccination,'' she said.
Returning elephants into the wild was also unrealistic.
''The forest has disappeared and there is hardly any habitat for wild elephants,'' she said.
Ms Soraida said there are about 2,500 domesticated elephants and about 2,000 wild elephants in Thailand.
Both groups have their problems.
When the number of tourists falls, owners and mahouts take their elephants to roam city streets. These mahouts earn 30,000-40,000 baht a month from selling food to tourists who then feed the elephants.
It is lucrative work which encourages the smuggling of baby elephants from Burma, she said.
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The picture doesn't relate to the story and is of K. Som's ordination ceremony back at Ta Klang.
Lung Lord and the family have gone down for a couple of weeks; I was invited but am too old, now, to drive to Surin just for the weekend.
Besides we had big work to do in Lampang and Chiang Mai.
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