In brief
Blanca Ojanguren García, a 22-year-old from Spain, was killed by an elephant at a Thai care center, sparking discussions on the ethics of wildlife tourism.
In a tragic turn of events, a young Spanish woman, Blanca Ojanguren García, lost her life after an elephant attacked her during a bathing session at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Thailand. The incident occurred last Friday while García, a 22-year-old law and international relations student living in Taiwan, was bathing the elephant alongside her boyfriend, who witnessed the horrific attack.Local authorities reported that the elephant may have been under stress, exacerbated by interactions with tourists, which is a growing concern highlighted by animal welfare experts. The rising popularity of bathing elephants in Thailand has drawn significant criticism from activists who argue that such activities are unethical and harmful to the animals involved.The Koh Yao centre promotes various tourist experiences, allowing visitors to interact closely with elephants by feeding, bathing, and walking with them, with packages costing between 1,900 baht and 2,900 baht (approximately $55 to $80). These practices have been condemned for disrupting natural animal behaviors and subjecting them to undue stress and risks.Animal welfare organization World Animal Protection has long advocated for an end to elephant captivity, citing that over 60% of elephants used in the tourism industry in Asia endure poor living conditions. They emphasize that these highly intelligent animals are better suited to their natural environments rather than confined to tourism-related activities that fail to meet their complex social needs.Following the incident, Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, expressed condolences and noted that the Spanish consulate in Bangkok is providing support to García's family.
