Dozens of elephants risk being sold to Chinese circuses when Covid restrictions end

Fifteen baby elephants could be separated from their mothers

Some of the elephants in danger of being ‘put to work' (Gentle Giants)

A campaign has been launched to save 38 elephants, all at risk of being sold to the logging industry and to Chinese-owned circuses based in Thailand once coronavirus measures are lifted. 

The group of elephants, made up of 15 babies plus 23 juveniles and adults, live in various villages around northwest Thailand. They have been “cruelty free” since Covid restrictions began, at which point a massive slump in Thailand’s tourism saw working elephants return to their villages in remote forestland, according to non-profit Gentle Giants.

But activists now dread Covid measures being lifted because it will signal the return of many of these animals to hard labour. 

Gentle Giants, which campaigns for elephant rights, told The Independent that the 23 at-risk adult elephants will be sold into the logging industry, while the calfs will be recruited into Thai-based, Chinese-owned circuses, should enough funds not be secured to keep them safe.

Diana Munoz, founder and president of Gentle Giants, said: “Elephants die in the logging industry, it’s as simple as that. They’re tortured, given drugs to work longer hours, and they die. It’s essential that we work to keep these animals at home where they belong”

Through a Stay at Home project, Ms Munoz fundraises to help owners keep their animals and avoid having to sell them on to stay afloat.  But the economic effect of coronavirus means it is only a matter of time before the families that own these 38 elephants are forced to sell to companies who want to exploit the animals for work.

Of its £23,000 target to help this specific group of elephants, just over £5,000 has so far been raised. The money will buy two months worth of elephant carer wages, as well as food.

One mother and baby elephant duo are at particular risk of being separated after a local logging firm confirmed it has its eye on the mother while her baby has already been spotted by a Chinese tourism firm, which specialises in non-ethical tourist attractions such as zoos and circuses, Ms Munoz said.

A mother and baby at risk of being separated (Gentle Giants)

“There are 15 babies in danger of being ripped away from their mothers’ loving reach - to be sold to the circuses,” Ms Munoz told The Independent. “We are now fundraising to secure two months worth of elephant food and caretaker wages to be able to accept them into our sponsorship programme.”

She added: “Many elephants have already been leased out to the illegal logging industry and with enough funds, we would be able to rescue them.”

The wildlife trade industry - particularly its illegal branch - has been placed under the microscope this year. The Independent itself has carried out a Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign, but it is far from being remedied. 

Some of the Gentle Giants team visit the elephants (Gentle Giants)

Dr Richard Thomas, head of communications at leading wildlife trade specialists Traffic, said that although the full impacts of Covid are presently unclear “there undoubtedly will be long-lasting changes in the way wildlife trade is managed”. He said: “We need to see measures implemented to mitigate the risk … major catastrophes are best avoided rather than coped with.”

“What the pandemic has achieved is for real reflection about what humans are doing to our planet and the irreversible loss of the biodiversity and ecosystem services upon which we all rely for our very existence,” Dr Thomas added.

Ms Munoz, of Gentle Giants, said while the group is under no illusions it can “bring all gentle giants to sanctuary”, it does believe “it can take sanctuary to them”. 

To donate to the Gentle Giants campaign, click here