In brief
A 22-year-old Spanish student, Blanca Ojanguren García, tragically died after being gored by an elephant while bathing the animal at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Thailand. Witnesses report that the elephant appeared to be “panic-stricken” at the moment of the incident, raising alarms about the psychological state of elephants used in tourist activities. García, who was studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra in Spain, was on an exchange program in Taiwan and visiting Thailand with her boyfriend, who witnessed the attack. Spain's Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed that the consulate in Bangkok is assisting García’s family during this difficult time.
The elephant industry in Thailand, where around 4,000 elephants are believed to be in captivity, has been under constant scrutiny from animal rights activists. Visitors to the Koh Yao centre can participate in “elephant care” packages, which include feeding and bathing, with costs ranging from approximately $55 to $86. However, critics argue that these activities disrupt elephants' natural behaviors, causing stress and risking injury. World Animal Protection, an international charity, has long advocated for the end of captive breeding of elephants, highlighting the profound suffering these intelligent creatures endure due to inadequate living conditions and disruption of their social structures. As Thailand continues to promote elephant tourism, the fatal event has reignited debates over the ethics of animal interactions in the tourism industry and the psychological welfare of these majestic creatures.
