A Spanish tourist was killed by a stressed elephant during a bathing activity at a Thai sanctuary, raising concerns about animal welfare.

A tragic incident at a sanctuary in southern Thailand has claimed the life of a 23-year-old Spanish tourist. The woman was killed while participating in a bathing activity at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province, local authorities reported on Monday.

The tourist was struck by the elephant’s trunk during what police described as a moment of distress for the animal. “A female tourist was killed while bathing an elephant,” confirmed Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief. Efforts are underway to confirm her identity with assistance from the Spanish embassy.

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The sanctuary has declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, highlighting the growing tension between tourism activities and animal welfare concerns in Thailand.

Thailand has witnessed a significant number of fatalities caused by elephants, with 227 deaths reported over the past 12 years, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

While wild elephant encounters are the most common cause, incidents at controlled environments such as sanctuaries are rare.

Just last month, a 49-year-old woman was killed by an elephant at a national park in northern Thailand’s Loei province.

These tragedies underscore the unpredictability of interactions with these majestic but potentially dangerous animals.

Bathing elephants remains a popular tourist activity in Thailand, where approximately 2,800 elephants are used in tourism.

However, animal welfare organisations, such as World Animal Protection, have raised concerns over the stress these activities may cause elephants.

Some sanctuaries have started prohibiting elephant bathing to minimise distress, advocating for more ethical tourism practices that respect the animals’ natural behaviour and well-being.

While the allure of interacting with elephants draws millions of visitors to Thailand each year, incidents like these highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations in the wildlife tourism industry.

Animal rights advocates are pushing for better protection measures for both tourists and elephants, calling for a shift towards practices that prioritise ethical and sustainable tourism.