Elephant Kills Tourist at Sanctuary in Thailand, Raising Concerns About Safety of Elephant Tourism

A tragic incident occurred at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province, Thailand, where a "panic-stricken" elephant killed a 23-year-old Spanish tourist while she was bathing the animal. The victim, identified as Blanca Ojanguren García, was hit by the elephant's trunk, leading to her death.

The Koh Yao Centre offers "elephant care" packages that allow tourists to interact with the animals, including bathing them. However, animal rights groups argue that such activities can cause distress to elephants. In this case, the elephant's panicked state may have contributed to the tragic outcome.

This incident highlights the ongoing human-elephant conflict in Thailand, where wild elephants have killed 227 people in the past 12 years. While encounters between villagers and elephants are common, attacks at sanctuaries remain rare.

The Spanish consulate in Bangkok is assisting Ojanguren García's family. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of elephant tourism in Thailand and the need for better regulations to protect both tourists and animals.