Have you ever wondered why an elephant might abandon her young? This heartbreaking issue is not just a rare occurrence; it's becoming increasingly prevalent, raising questions about the challenges elephants face in their natural habitats.
Meet Khao Tom, a playful two-month-old elephant who has captured the hearts of many. She engages with a wildlife officer by nudging his face and wrapping her trunk around his wrist, a sign of her growing comfort. When she lifts her trunk, signaling hunger, the team at the rescue center breathes a sigh of relief—this little one has been struggling to eat properly. A veterinarian promptly prepares a small bottle of formula, which Khao Tom eagerly gulps down.
Khao Tom’s journey began in September when rangers rescued her from a farming area in Thailand’s Lam Khlong Ngu National Park. Unfortunately, she was born with a congenital disorder affecting her knees, making it difficult for her to keep pace with her herd. Tragically, her mother moved on without her just days after giving birth.
"We had our doubts about her survival," shares Natthanon Panpetch, a senior veterinarian and director at the Bueng Chawak wildlife rescue center. Khao Tom arrived with numerous abrasions on her body, evidence of her mother’s attempts to drag her along through the forest. Additionally, a digestive infection left her extremely weak.
Thanks to round-the-clock care and a diet of rice porridge—known as khao tom in Thai—she began to recover. As her story unfolded on social media, the Thai public rallied in support, sending toys, formula, and donations to help care for the little elephant.
Khao Tom’s situation is alarming but not unique. In 2025, reports indicated at least five other elephant calves in Thailand had been abandoned or lost. A database compiled by the Guardian reveals a troubling trend: the average annual incidents of abandonment rose from roughly two between 2015 and 2022 to nine in 2024 and 14 in 2025. However, this data only reflects reported cases and may not capture the full scope of the problem. Are these numbers indicative of a deeper issue, or simply a reflection of heightened awareness about abandoned calf cases?
Joshua Plotnik, a psychology professor at Hunter College in New York, has dedicated nearly two decades to studying elephant behavior in Thailand. His extensive research shows that elephants possess self-awareness, as evidenced by their ability to recognize themselves in mirrors.
According to Plotnik, it’s quite rare for elephant mothers to abandon their calves, even if they are sick or injured. This is largely due to the significant investment female elephants make in their offspring, with gestation lasting around two years and calves relying on their mothers for several more years after birth.
However, there are instances when an elephant mother or family may reject a calf, particularly if the mother is under stress or if the safety of the herd is compromised. Calves can also become separated from their families due to the death of their mothers.
The pressures of habitat loss and increasing human-elephant conflict have become significant stressors on wild elephant populations. These majestic creatures require expansive areas of forest to forage and access water, yet their habitats continue to shrink and fragment. A recent study published in the journal Nature highlights that since 1700, a staggering 64% of Asian elephant habitat has been lost.
While elephants are known for their adaptability and behavioral flexibility, allowing them to navigate changing landscapes, this adaptability can ironically escalate conflicts with humans. As their natural ranges contract, elephants are increasingly forced into closer proximity with farms, villages, and roads. This shift can disrupt their movement patterns, separate social groups, or provoke negative behaviors, leading to situations where calves become lost.
Some news stories about stray calves do not specify how separation occurs, while others attribute it to falls or encounters with human-dominated environments. For instance, a calf in Indonesia found itself alone after farmers drove their herd away from crops in 2024. Earlier this year, another calf wandered into a Malaysian village and got caught in a buffalo trap.
In Assam, India, a young elephant fell into a ditch while crossing a tea estate but was fortunately rescued by a local wildlife center supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Although records from the Assam wildlife center indicate a slight decline in the number of displaced calves over the past five years—attributed to fewer severe floods—IFAW describes a "growing challenge" in this region, with elephant and rhino calves still facing separation from their herds due to flooding, habitat encroachment, and escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Determining whether these incidents are genuinely increasing across the range of Asian elephants is complex, according to Plotnik. The spike in reported cases may stem from improved awareness and media coverage, though he suggests that rising human pressures likely contribute to the growing occurrences of herd-calf separations.
Regrettably, Khao Tom may never return to the wild, as Natthanon explains. "The longer she remains in human care, the more difficult it will be for her to reintegrate into a herd." As the environments that elephants depend on continue to evolve, stories like hers serve as poignant reminders of the harsh realities faced by these incredible animals in the wild.
For further insights on the critical state of biodiversity and extinction, check out our extensive coverage at the Guardian. And don’t forget to connect with biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more in-depth nature articles.
