Lampang: The Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation is taking measures to protect elephants from the cold as temperatures in Lampang drop to an unusual low of 9 degrees Celsius.
According to Thai News Agency, officials from the foundation have implemented strategies to keep the elephants warm at night, including the use of shade cloth and fires. At the foundation’s Elephant Hospital in Hang Chat District, approximately 11 elephants, including those that are sick, disabled, and elderly, are being cared for. The location, nestled in a forest with surrounding trees and water sources, has experienced colder nights than usual over the past few days. The upper northern region is witnessing a steady drop in temperature, with plains experiencing lows of 9-10 degrees Celsius and mountaintops ranging from 2-10 degrees Celsius.
Ms. Soraida Salwala, Secretary-General of the Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation, stated that staff have been proactive in wrapping shade cloth around each barn to shield the elephants from the night winds. Fires have been lit nearby to provide warmth, and blankets are used to cover some of the baby elephants. The extreme cold poses a risk of pneumonia in older elephants, while younger ones are susceptible to collapsing. Elephants, being warm-blooded like humans, can shiver severely, leading to convulsions and potential collapse. In the mornings, the elephants are taken out to soak up some sunlight to help maintain their body heat.