Seven animal protection organizations urge an immediate investigation into the collapse of the wild elephant "Sida Ear-Folded" during relocation by officials, oppose moving the remaining three wild elephants, and emphasize that the Department of Livestock Development should review laws protecting both domesticated and wild elephants.
On 14 February 2026, seven animal welfare and anti-cruelty organizations in Thailand—including the Royal Patronage Animal Aid Association, the Thai Animal Protection Association, the Friends of the Elephant Foundation, the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), Lanna Dog Welfare, the Thai Buffalo Conservation Foundation, and the Monkey Care Foundation—jointly issued a statement regarding the collapse of the wild elephant "Sida Ear-Folded."
The statement addressed the sudden collapse and death of the wild elephant "Sida Ear-Folded" from Phu Luang during relocation on 4 February 2026. The elephant was being moved from Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen Province, back to the forest area of Loei Province after the transport truck had departed, as previously reported by the media.
Thai citizens and foreigners, along with animal welfare and anti-cruelty groups in Thailand, have closely followed and expressed deep sorrow and shock over the incident. They call on relevant agencies to urgently address the issue through the following actions:
1. They demand that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation immediately halt the capture and relocation of the remaining three wild elephants—Ngajiew, Kutang, and Sidanoy.
2. They ask the Prime Minister to appoint an impartial and transparent fact-finding committee composed of experts from various sectors, involving public participation, to ensure justice for the wild elephant "Sida Ear-Folded" and for those involved in the capture and relocation operations.
3. They urge the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Department of Livestock Development to expedite measures ensuring the welfare and protection against cruelty for both wild and domesticated elephants.
4. They call on the Department of Livestock Development to promptly consider and enact the Thai Elephant Act to cover both domesticated and wild elephants, and to classify wild elephants under the Protection against Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act of 2014.
5. They request the Prime Minister to oversee systematic, clear, and concrete solutions to human-wildlife conflicts in all disputed areas, support resource management and legal reforms to address obstacles swiftly, and ensure fairness for local communities while safeguarding wildlife as valuable national resources.
The case of "Sida Ear-Folded" represents a loss and a warning for related agencies to urgently implement systematic structural solutions. The statement also extends support to officers acting in good faith and expresses concern for the families and local communities affected by this issue.
"With sincerity and strong belief in the compassion of the Thai people toward elephants, we will resolve this issue together."