COVID-19 A Jumbo Crisis
In March 2020, Thailand closed its borders to international visitors in response to the Covid-19 pandemic - an action that suddenly cut off the income stream used to care for thousands of Thailand’s captive elephants “employed” in the tourist industry. Since then, many elephants have faced starvation and long unbroken periods on chains without appropriate care.
There were approximately 3,500 elephants across 260 tourist elephant camps in Thailand in January 2020. Initially, when the Thai government closed the borders, many elephant camp owners optimistically assumed that the Covid-19 crisis would last just 1 or 2 months and found themselves unprepared for the long-term impacts, with no contingency plan.
Save Elephant Foundation (SEF), led by its founder Lek Chailert, immediately stepped in to provide support for as many elephants as possible throughout the crisis. It was clear that the situation required a multifaceted approach to safeguard the elephants and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for these majestic giants.
SEF initiated immediate support through a number of projects dedicated to providing help, including an elephant food bank, the farm to herd campaign, elephant foster programs, and upskilling people working with elephants to supplement their income during the crisis and beyond.
Save Elephant Foundation Magazine 2022. 63
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