While life is always difficult for Thailand’s captive elephants, COVID-19 has only made things worse. In March 2020, Thailand closed its border to tourists. Without tourism, elephant camps, sanctuaries and other projects have had to close, leaving mahouts and elephants out of work.

Most elephants now live in their mahouts’ home villages, with local families now faced with the enormous task of feeding elephants with little income and limited land for grazing and foraging. There is a real risk of elephants starving in this scenario.

Until tourism returns, it is essential to support elephants and mahouts in any way possible. There are a number of organisations that receive donations that go towards purchasing elephant food, veterinary care and providing for mahouts and their families, who are also struggling at this time.