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A Spanish tourist was tragically killed on Monday when a “panic-stricken” elephant attacked her during a bathing session at a sanctuary in southern Thailand. The animal, overwhelmed by fear, struck out in a deadly response. This unfortunate event has prompted questions regarding the safety measures in place at such sanctuaries and the risks involved in close interactions with elephants.
According to police reports, the 23-year-old woman was struck by the trunk of a distressed elephant at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province. The animal, visibly stressed, reacted in a sudden outburst, leading to the fatal blow. The tragic incident has raised concerns about the risks involved in close encounters with such large, unpredictable creatures, even in sanctuary settings.
“A female tourist was killed while bathing an elephant,” Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief told AFP.
The Spanish embassy has been contacted by local authorities to authenticate the identity of the victim in the recent elephant attack. Meanwhile, despite requests for information from AFP, the sanctuary has declined to release any details about the incident, leaving much of the case shrouded in uncertainty.
Read also: Thailand Floods: Trapped Wildlife, Elephants Moved To Safety
Over the past 12 years, wild elephants have been responsible for the deaths of 227 individuals, including both locals and tourists, as reported by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.
This alarming statistic highlights the inherent risks of human-wildlife interaction, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety measures in regions where these majestic yet unpredictable animals roam freely.
An elephant killed a 49-year-old woman at a national park in Loei province in northern Thailand last month.
While encounters between villagers and wild elephants are common, attacks at sanctuaries remain rare.
Bathing elephants is a popular activity among visitors in Thailand, where about 2,800 elephants are held for tourism purposes across the country, according to World Animal Protection.
However, animal rights groups argue that bathing elephants can cause them distress and some sanctuaries in the country do not allow it.
