A 23-year-old Spanish tourist lost her life after being struck by an elephant during a bathing activity at a sanctuary in southern Thailand, local police reported on Monday.
According to the AFP, the incident occurred at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province. Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief, confirmed the details, stating, “The tourist was fatally injured while participating in an elephant bathing session.”
According to the authorities, the elephant became agitated and used its trunk to strike the woman. The sanctuary has not disclosed further information regarding the incident.
Officials have reached out to the Spanish embassy to confirm the victim’s identity.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing debate surrounding wildlife tourism in Thailand.
While elephant bathing is a popular tourist activity, it has faced criticism from animal welfare organizations, who argue it can cause unnecessary stress to the animals. Some sanctuaries in the country have already prohibited the practice.
“Tourists may not realize that close interactions like bathing can be distressing for elephants, even if they appear calm,” noted World Animal Protection in a previous statement.
Thailand is home to approximately 2,800 elephants used for tourism purposes, with interactions ranging from riding to feeding and bathing.
While conflicts between wild elephants and locals are more common, attacks involving elephants in sanctuaries remain rare. However, recent incidents have raised concerns about safety. Last month, a 49-year-old woman was killed by an elephant in Loei province’s national park.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation reported that wild elephants have been responsible for 227 fatalities over the past 12 years.
