Thailand tackles mammoth human-animal problem with elephant birth control
South China Morning Post
by Associated PressFebruary 14, 2026
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Thailand has launched an innovative initiative to address the growing issue of human-animal conflict by using a birth control vaccine on wild elephants. The program aims to reduce confrontations between humans and elephants, which have become increasingly deadly as elephant habitats shrink due to deforestation and expanding farmland. Last year alone, wild elephants killed 30 people and caused over 2,000 incidents of crop damage in Thailand. In response, officials are administering a US-made contraceptive vaccine to control the wild elephant population, particularly in areas where elephants are encroaching on residential and agricultural lands.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to mitigate the risks posed by overlapping human and animal habitats. As forests are cleared for farming, elephants are forced to venture into unfamiliar territories in search of food and shelter, leading to frequent clashes with local communities. The Wildlife Conservation Office has reported a sharp increase in the number of elephants living near residential areas, heightening the danger of encounters. To manage this, officials have tested a contraceptive vaccine on domesticated elephants over a two-year period, using 25 doses of the vaccine and observing promising results.
The program has sparked both hope and criticism. Supporters argue that it could help reduce elephant-related fatalities and crop destruction, while opponents worry it might undermine conservation efforts for an animal considered a national symbol. As Thailand grapples with
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/14/2026