Human Elephant Voices Network, Thong Pha Phum Research Team have surveyed for wild elephant distribution in agricultural areas in Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi including Ban Phu Toei Village and Ban Khao Phra In villages in Cha Lae Subdistrict, Sahakorn Nikhom Subdistrict, Tha Khanun Sub-district, Hin Dad Subdistrict and Huai Khayeng Subdistrict during 17 – 24 June 2021. They found a lot of elephant tracks and feeding locations distributed in Thong Pha Phum District. Most of the crops that were damaged were corn, cassava and banana. In addition, the village’s mountain water pipes were also damaged nine times in this month.
Moreover, Human and Elephant Voices Network with Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and Mahidol University have discussed with the Hin Dad Subdistrict Administrative Organization and Ban Mong Kala Volunteered Wild Elephant Guards. These cooperatives aimed to prepare for the knowledge and experiences sharing for wild elephant management and compensation procedures to newly occurred human-elephant conflict areas. This activity will be led by Protected Areas Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong) which is expected to be arranged in July if the Covid-19 situation is relieved. There are six main topics of discussion which are:
1) Interesting elephant behaviors
2) Procedures for commuters when encountering wild elephants
3) Practices in non-violent and safe crop protection techniques
4) Regulations and guidelines for damaged crop and property compensation
5) Drafting the District Wild Elephant Management Plan and
6) Alternative occupations for coexistence with wild elephants
