"Mae Ple" has given birth to a new calf "Nong Kumpa" the 71st member, further confirming the success of the Royal Initiative project to return elephants to the wild at Sub Langa Forest.
On 11 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Facebook fan page of Sub Langa Wildlife Sanctuary shared touching images of the new member 'Nong Kumpa,' a 7-day-old female wild elephant calf, the sixth offspring of 'Mae Ple,' an elephant in the project returning elephants to the wild. Born amid a lush forest, this reflects the great success in restoring Thailand's elephant population.
Mr. Arnop Buanual, head of Sub Langa Wildlife Sanctuary, said the birth of Nong Kumpa in early February is good news confirming that elephants previously raised by humans can fully adapt and reproduce naturally. The little calf is healthy and well cared for by its mother.
'Mae Ple' is one of the elephants given the chance to return to the wild under the Royal Initiative. 'Nong Kumpa' serves as proof that elephants once raised by humans can fully adapt and reproduce naturally.
The project to return elephants to the wild originated from the compassion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who has long cared for Thai elephants. It began in 2004 under cooperation between the Foundation for Elephant Reintroduction and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to return domestic and roaming elephants to their true home.
Sub Langa Wildlife Sanctuary in Lopburi Province was chosen for the project due to its 'crab claw valley' landscape, a unique and fertile natural feature that provides a safe sanctuary for large animals. Starting with the release of six elephants back to the forest, the population has now steadily grown to 71 elephants, marking an important milestone in successful wildlife conservation.
Thanks to the Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation