health
February 22, 2026
Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its elephant population near expanding farms
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand has begun using a birth control vaccine on elephants in the wild to try and curb a growing problem where human and animal populations encroach on each other — an issue in areas where farms spread into forests and elephants are squeezed out of their natural habitat.
TL;DR
- Thailand is using a birth control vaccine on wild elephants to address human-elephant conflicts.
- The initiative targets areas where farms encroach on elephant habitats, forcing elephants to seek food near human settlements.
- Last year, wild elephants killed 30 people and injured 29 in Thailand, along with over 2,000 incidents of crop damage.
- A U.S.-made vaccine was trialed successfully on seven domesticated elephants and is now being administered to wild elephants.
- The vaccine prevents pregnancy for seven years and does not stop ovulation, allowing for future reproduction after the effect wears off.
- The program focuses on wild elephants in regions with high human-elephant conflict rates, where the birth rate is significantly higher than the national average.
- Other conflict-reduction measures include creating additional food and water sources, building fences, and deploying rangers.
- A recent relocation operation sparked public outcry after one elephant died during the process, prompting an investigation.
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