Bangkok: The Department of National Parks is moving swiftly to remove GPS collars from wild elephants, emphasizing their use only when necessary to balance research needs with animal welfare.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has made significant strides in managing the GPS collars used on wild elephants.
Sukhi Boonkrang, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, reported that the Director-General has issued directives to speed up the removal of collars from elephants whose data collection periods have concluded or objectives met. This initiative aims to allow elephants to return to their natural habitats, prioritizing animal welfare.
Data from 2019 highlights the operation’s division into three phases: an initial research phase involving six elephants, all collars removed; a monitoring phase addressing human-elephant conflict involving 37 elephants, with 33 collars removed and four in process; and a 2024 research project by Mahidol University involving five elephants, with one collar removed and the rest under processing. The real-time GPS data has been crucial in tracking elephants’ movements, helping prevent them from leaving conservation areas and reducing damage to nearby communities.
Mr. Sukhi noted that the collars are intended as a short-term solution, with data being used to plan forest management for adequate food and water resources. This approach aims to ensure the sustainable return of elephants to their natural environments. He reiterated that the welfare of elephants and public safety are top priorities for the Department, and collars will be removed immediately after data collection to avoid unnecessary burdens on the elephants.