The Elephant Reintroduction Foundation (Thai: มูลนิธิคืนช้างสู่ธรรมชาติ) is a non-profit conservation organization whose goal is to re-introduce captive elephants into their natural habitat. It was founded in 1996, on the initiative of Queen Sirikit of Thailand.[1] Between 1998 and 2012, the organization had acquired and released back into the wild 84 elephants.[2]
Background edit
Asian elephants are currently listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.[3] At the same time, it is estimated that there are over 2800 domesticated elephants in Thailand, either in zoos and conservatories or employed by loggers and the tourist industry. They outnumber Thailand's wild elephant population, estimated at only 2000.[2] In Bangkok, tens of domesticated elephants are used by mahouts to solicit food and money.[4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ How does a holiday become a holiday?
- ^ a b "For 'de-programmed' elephants, return to wild is a slow, costly process". Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- ^ "Elephas maximus (Asian elephant, Indian elephant)", IUCN
- ^ Bangkok introduces back-to-nature scheme for urban elephants
External links edit
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