Thailand is moving to bring home two elephants given to Sri Lanka decades ago, amid concerns over their deteriorating health. The government has sent a minister-led delegation to discuss the repatriation of the aging animals, who are reportedly suffering from overwork and visible injuries.
The delegation, led by Suchat Chomklin, Natural Resources and Environment minister which includes senior officials and a team of veterinarians, will assess the condition of the elephants, named Pratu Pha and Sri Narong, and negotiate with the Sri Lankan government for their safe return. Reports indicate that the elephants’ legs and necks show signs of wounds, highlighting their poor welfare.
The elephants were sent to Sri Lanka roughly 40 years ago as a gesture of goodwill, intended to strengthen bilateral relations.
However, concerns about their health and living conditions have prompted renewed calls for their return. A public petition, launched in 2023, has gathered widespread support in Thailand, highlighting the issue of elephant welfare and the deaths of over 30 elephants in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Officials have cautioned that repatriating the elephants may take some time, given their age and health conditions. “We want to ensure that both animals are transported safely and receive proper care during the process,” a government source said.
The initiative reflects Thailand’s commitment to protecting its wildlife, even when the animals have been abroad for decades, and underscores the growing public attention to animal welfare in international diplomacy.
