Captive elephants released into jungle after coronavirus decimated tourism income

Captive elephants released into jungle after coronavirus decimated tourism income

Footage shows elephants being released back into the jungle after coronavirus decimated income from tourism.

Eight jumbos were left unemployed after Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in place since March forced their show to close in Trang, southern Thailand.

Penniless mahout Tassana Sasimonton, 48, said he has been unable to feed his herd of underweight elephants so he took them back to his home village.

They were then released into woodland to forage for themselves.

Tassana said it would costs around 10,000 baht (250GBP) a month to care for a single elephant.

With no money from tourism, he has been unable to pay for their upkeep.

He said: "My income has stopped after the spread of coronavirus and the elephants don't have enough food.

I took my elephants back to the woods in my hometown where they can eat in the wild.''