Spanish tourist gored to death by elephant in Thailand
- Blanca Ojanguren García, a 22-year-old Spanish student, was attacked by an elephant at Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre while bathing it.
- The elephant's behavior may have been influenced by stress from tourist interactions, leading to numerous fatalities from such attacks in Thailand.
- This incident spotlights the urgent need for greater awareness and reforms regarding the treatment of elephants used in tourism.
In Thailand, a tragic incident occurred involving a Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren García, who was fatally injured by an elephant at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre. On Friday, January 3, 2025, the 22-year-old student was bathing the animal when it gored her, leading to her eventual death. Blanca was visiting the island with her boyfriend as part of a tourist trip. The attack raised serious concerns among experts regarding the well-being of elephants in captivity, especially given the high number of fatalities due to elephant attacks in Thailand over the past decade. Local authorities shared that the elephant might have acted out of stress. Interactions with tourists are known to place significant pressure on these animals, often leading to unpredictable behavior. The Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre, where the incident took place, promotes packages that allow tourists to wash and feed the elephants. However, such activities have drawn criticism from animal protection organizations, which argue that they contradict the animals' natural behaviors and can lead to distress. Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed the incident, indicating that they are providing consular support to García’s family. The Spanish consulate in Bangkok emphasized their commitment to assisting in the aftermath of this tragic event. García, an Erasmus student, was studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra in Spain and was currently living in Taiwan for her studies. The attack happened in a sanctuary, raising the question of safety practices for tourists engaging in animal interactions. Reports from various organizations, including World Animal Protection, highlight that over 4,000 elephants exist in Thailand. A substantial portion of these elephants are kept in captivity for tourism, with conditions often criticized for being inadequate. Animal welfare advocacy groups have documented numerous cases of abuse and mistreatment, increasing pressure for reforms in how elephants are treated in tourist attractions. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers involved in such interactions and the ongoing discussion about the ethical treatment of wildlife within tourist settings.