The Department of Livestock Development has announced mandatory standards on good practices for elephant camps, which will be effective from 19 August 2024. Currently, there are 179 agricultural product producers licensed according to mandatory standards, and 54 camps have been certified. The Department of Livestock Development is in the process of assessing all remaining elephant camps. Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, said that the Agricultural Standards Act on Good Practices for Elephant Camps, TAS 6413-2564, came into effect on August 19, 2567. The Department of Livestock Development is the livestock standard certification agency and has been assigned by the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) to issue licenses for agricultural product producers under mandatory standards. Good Practices for Elephant Camps has opened for elephant camp operators to apply for agricultural product producer licenses and apply for elephant camp standard certification, which are mandatory standards for elephant camp operators nationwide. Data from the National Elephant Health Research and Service Institute, Department of Livestock Development, surveyed elephant habitats and accommodations nationwide and found that there were 236 locations. The locations that operate businesses raising or gathering elephants for tourism, performing arts, or other businesses that exploit elephants, which fall under mandatory standards, have received agricultural product producer licenses according to mandatory standards on good practices for elephant camps, 179 locations. As for operators who have received elephant camp standard certification, there are 54 camps, the remaining ones are undergoing assessment to make sure they are all complete. The issuance of agricultural product producer licenses according to mandatory standards and the certificate of good practice standards for elephant camps, TIS 6413-2564, aims to improve elephant husbandry and w elfare, as well as prevent elephant cruelty according to international principles. Since elephants play a role in Thailand's tourism industry and generate significant income for the country, both in terms of the economy, image, and identity of the country's tourism, it is necessary to set safety measures for tourists, personnel in elephant camps and elephants, proper husbandry management, appropriate care for elephants' welfare and health, prevention of elephant cruelty, and reduction of environmental impacts, which will lead to sustainability in systematic tourism. The mandatory elephant camp standards are in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 and its amendments. Elephant camps that are subject to mandatory standards include places that are engaged in raising or collecting elephants for tourism, performing arts, or other businesses that exploit elephants, whether or not they collect viewing fees or service fees directly or indirectly. If elephant camp operators do not obtain a manufact urer's license, they are subject to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand baht, and if they do not receive elephant camp standard certification, they are subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand baht. These mandatory standards do not cover raising elephants in households and raising elephants for labor, such as pulling elephants. However, all elephant owners must comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Provision of Welfare for Animals Act B.E. 2557. For the classification of elephant camps, they can be divided into 2 types: by the number of elephants or by the type of activities. The classification of elephant camps by the number of elephants is as follows: A small elephant camp with no more than 10 elephants. Medium-sized elephant camp with 11 to 30 elephants. A large elephant camp with 31 or more elephants. Elephant camps are divided according to the type of activities as follows: Traditional elephant camps are elephant camps that offer activities such as elephant ridi ng on a trampoline and/or watching elephant shows. An ecotourism elephant camp is an elephant camp that offers activities such as riding elephants on a tether or without a tether, walking with elephants, or providing knowledge about elephants and elephant conservation. A disabled or elderly elephant camp is an elephant camp where disabled or elderly elephants are raised and cared for. A hybrid elephant camp is an elephant camp that combines the activities of a traditional elephant camp and an ecotourism elephant camp, and has been adjusted to suit the situation. The scope of the Agricultural Product Standard (Agriculture Standards 6413) on Good Practices for Elephant Camps applies to elephant camps that keep or collect domestic elephants and specifies good practices for elephant camps to ensure good health for elephants. The components of an 'elephant camp' are as follows: There is a place for elephants to stay while waiting for service or resting from service. In the case of elephant accommodation, the re must be enough space to keep elephants, taking into account animal welfare. In the case of not being an elephant accommodation building, choose an elephant accommodation, taking into account an area with shade and an adequate water source. There are resting areas for elephants to rest during times when there is no service or at night, such as tethered in a natural forest, open areas within the elephant camp, under trees or in buildings with an area of ??not less than 16 square meters per rope, using ropes or chains no less than 1.5 meters long, or leaving elephants in areas with boundaries to prevent them from escaping, taking into account areas with shade and sufficient water sources, including taking into account the safety of the elephants. The management of elephant camps has the following requirements: There is an elephant camp management manual that details key operations within the elephant camp. Provide elephants with quality, safe and appropriate food. There are separate food storage areas an d food is stored in conditions that prevent spoilage and contamination. Management ensures that each elephant receives sufficient and varied food and water. Clean the elephant accommodation building, surrounding area and equipment regularly. Every domestic elephant must have an elephant identification document issued by the responsible agency under the Vehicle Act of 1939. For personnel in the elephant camp, the following requirements apply: Mahouts who are responsible for taking care of elephants must have knowledge, training or practice in taking care of elephants. There is a veterinarian in charge of the elephant camp to supervise the health of the elephants. All personnel in the elephant camp have good personal hygiene and undergo annual health checks, especially for zoonotic diseases. In terms of the health of elephants in the camp, the following requirements are in place: The elephants' well-being and health are monitored daily. The elephants are to be examined at least once a year. There are measures to monitor and prevent tuberculosis. Newly imported elephants are quarantined and sick elephants are separated from normal elephant enclosures. For animal welfare Elephants must be cared for and treated in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Provision of Welfare Act 2014. Data recording Important information such as personnel history, training or practical training history, and annual health examination results, food and water sources are recorded. Keep records for at least 3 years. Environmental Management There are measures to manage elephant dung so that it does not affect the environment. Dispose of debris, trash, waste and wastewater in an appropriate manner in accordance with relevant laws. Safety Management There are personnel and signs or documents providing advice on safety when approaching elephants, feeding elephants, riding on elephants and interacting closely with elephants, as well as information on elephant behavior. The mahouts check the elephants' behavior before providing service to every customer. Safety management is in place, such as checking the equipment on the elephant's back every time it is put into operation to ensure the safety of service users, or providing appropriate elephant control equipment. In this regard, elephant camp operators who fall under mandatory standards can apply for a license to produce agricultural products according to mandatory standards and apply for elephant camp standard certification via the electronic system TAS-License at http://tas.acfs.go.th/nsw/ and submit an application for elephant camp standard certification at the provincial livestock office in the area where the elephant camp is located. For more information, please contact the Livestock Standards and Certification System Development Office at 02-653-4444 ext. 3155. Source: Thai News Agency
