Tourist killed, gored by elephant's tusk at Thailand sanctuary while bathing animal: Reports
A November 2024 post from Koh Yao Elephant Care advertised private elephant care programs that include preparing food for the elephants and mud spas.
A Spanish woman visiting Thailand was killed by an elephant at an elephant care center and an elephant trainer has been charged in connection to her death, according to multiple reports.
On Friday, 22-year-old Blanca Ojanguren Garcia was visiting Koh Yao Elephant Care in Ko Yao Yai when she was gored to death, reported news outlets the Thai Examiner and the Nation.
Officials in Thailand did not immediately respond to Paste BN’s requests for comment and neither did Koh Yao Elephant Care.
According to the Thai Examiner, she was bathing a 45-year-old female elephant named Phang Somboon when she was killed.
Woman reportedly gored to death by elephant's tusk
She walked in front of the elephant when it took one of its tusks and gored her to death, reported the Thai Examiner. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she later died from a head injury.
Her boyfriend was also there and witnessed the killing, according to the Thai Examiner. The elephant care center has since closed while authorities work with the woman’s family in Spain.
According to the Thai Examiner, an expert told media outlets Saturday that the elephant may have been stressed.
According to the Nation, a Thai mahout, or elephant trainer, is facing charges in connection to the woman’s death. Theerayut Inthaphudkij, 38, was charged with negligence leading to the woman’s death, the outlet reported, citing the Phang Nga Tourism and Sports Office.
The Phang Nga Tourism and Sports Office did not immediately respond to Paste BN’s requests for comment.
A November 2024 post from the elephant sanctuary advertised private elephant care programs that include preparing food for the elephants, mud spas, showering with the elephants, walking with them, activities in a pond, and more.
Student was studying law and international relations
Jesus Julio Carnero, mayor of Valladolid in Spain, confirmed the woman’s death on X Friday. He said she was a former student at Pinoalbar Development School, a bilingual charter school in Spain.
The school also shared a photo of her on Saturday and said administrators were shocked by the passing of their former student.
“We join her family in prayer and affection,” the school wrote in Spanish. “Always in our hearts, dear Blanca.”
Garcia was a fifth-year law student at the University of Navarra in Spain, studying law and international relations, a spokesperson from the university confirmed to Paste BN Tuesday morning.
“The University is currently focused on supporting the family, students and colleagues of the student,” the university said in a statement.
Garcia was part of the security and defense club at the University of Navarra and was a delegate to UNMUN, a student-organized congress at the university based on the United Nations, the Thai Examiner reported.
According to the nonprofit World Animal Protection, Thailand is home to 15% of the 52,000 Asian elephants currently living in the wild. According to the nonprofit, Asian elephants are an endangered species and between 3,100 and 3,600 Asian elephants can be found in 69 protected areas in Thailand.
"Wild elephants in Thailand are outnumbered by those kept in captivity," the nonprofit wrote on its website, adding that nearly 75% of captive elephants are used for tourist entertainment in Asia.
The nonprofit said there are elephant sanctuaries tourists can visit "that put the elephants' needs first and give them the freedom to be elephants."
According to World Animal Protection, some ways to make sure you're visiting a safe sanctuary or facility include looking for venues that give elephants space and freedom to roam, as well as venues that keep distance between elephants and visitors.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.