- Kui Buri Model to Expand Nationwide to Address Global Human-Elephant Conflict
- The intelligent solution “TSEWS” reduces damage caused by elephants by up to 100%
Kui Buri: November 26, 2024 – True Corporation Plc, in collaboration with Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and WWF-Thailand, has launched a project to monitor wild elephants using the True Smart Early Warning System (TSEWS) in Kui Buri National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and the Eastern Forest Complex (spanning five provinces). The initiative plans to expand to forest areas across the country impacted by wild elephant encroachment. True highlights its “Tech For Good” approach, leveraging Empathy, Insights, and Technology to create innovative solutions for sustainable quality of life improvement.
The reduction of forest areas for habitation and agriculture has diminished food sources for wild elephants, forcing them to invade human communities and causing damage to lives and property. This has resulted in human-elephant conflict (HEC) in many countries with wild elephant populations.
According to data from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), HEC causes the deaths of approximately 200 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, 100 in India, and 120 in Kenya each year. Human fatalities are also significant, with around 400 people dying annually in India and approximately 200 in Kenya between 2010 and 2017.
The Wildlife Conservation Bureau of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation reported that Thailand is facing a growing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) issue. The country’s wild elephant population stands at approximately 4,013-4,422 individuals, distributed across 16 forest complexes and 94 protected areas nationwide. While the elephant population shows an increasing trend, the size of protected forest areas remains unchanged, causing elephants to venture outside forest zones in search of food.
In the past three years (2021-2023), wild elephants have left forest areas over 37,000 times, causing more than 3,800 incidents of damage to property and agricultural crops. Of particular concern is that over the past 12 years (2012-2024), 227 people have lost their lives, and 198 have been injured due to wild elephant intrusions. These figures highlight the urgent need to find sustainable solutions for coexistence between humans and elephants.
True Corporation Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading telecommunications and technology company, has acknowledged the importance of addressing issues impacting both Thai communities and wild elephants. In 2018, the company partnered with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and WWF Thailand to pilot a project in Kui Buri National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The initiative utilized high-speed internet technologies, including 5G, 4G, and IoT, to address Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) through the “True Smart Early Warning System” (TSEWS).
Mr. Veera Kunchairuk, Deputy Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said, “Addressing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) is a significant challenge that requires integration and collaboration from all sectors, including the government, NGOs, private companies, and local communities. The Department of National Parks has collaborated with True Corporation and WWF Thailand to develop an early warning system project that combines modern communication technology with camera traps and smartphone applications. This system supports the work of field officers by enabling swift monitoring and guiding of elephants back to the forest efficiently. This collaboration also focuses on protecting agricultural areas around the boundaries of Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, one of the key areas in Thailand facing severe human-elephant conflicts. The goal is to reduce losses for both the communities and the elephants, fostering a sustainable balance between conservation and coexistence.”
Over the past seven years, the TSEWS has proven highly effective in supporting wildlife management teams. In 2023, although 1,104 incidents of wild elephants entering the Kui Buri National Park area were reported, crop damage occurred in only four cases, accounting for just 0.36%. This represents a significant improvement compared to 2017, when crop damage before the system’s implementation stood at 74.5%. These figures highlight the system’s nearly 100% success rate in enabling authorities to guide elephants back into the forest while preventing losses.
Mr. Manat Manavutiveth, Chief Executive Officer of True Corporation Plc, said, “As a leader in telecom-tech in Thailand, True is not only committed to advancing cutting-edge technological infrastructure, including nationwide 5G, 4G, and high-speed broadband networks to drive the digital economy, but also to prioritizing the use of technology to sustainably enhance the quality of life for people, communities, and society. The ‘True Smart Early Warning System (TSEWS)’ is a prime example of the success of the ‘Tech for Good’ initiative, showcasing how technology can drive tangible, positive social change in addressing the global issue of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).”
“The main challenge in areas affected by wild elephant intrusions is the inability to quickly identify the animals’ locations or predict their movements. This often leads to significant damage to lives and property. Our solution, the ‘True Smart Early Warning System (TSEWS),’ combines real-time monitoring with high-speed internet and camera traps equipped with advanced image analysis. This ensures precise location tracking and enables timely interventions. Beyond addressing HEC in Thailand, this model can also serve as a framework for other countries facing similar challenges,” Mr. Manat concluded
How the True Smart Early Warning System (TSEWS) Works: Monitoring Over 400 Wild Elephants in Kui Buri National Park
- Integrates 4G and 5G smart networks with AI technology and IoT devices to develop a proactive early warning system.
- Deploys Camera Traps equipped with SIM cards, connected to the network, to identify locations and send real-time alerts.
- When the cameras detect elephants leaving the forest area or encroaching, the system transmits images and GPS coordinates to the Cloud for immediate analysis.
- The control center notifies field officers and deploys drones to verify the situation.
- Officers take action to safely move the elephants back into the forest, reducing risks and minimizing damage.
True Smart Early Warning System (TSEWS): An Innovative Solution from Tech For Good for Sustainable Society” with 3 Strategic Principles:
- EMPATHY: Understanding Life in All Dimensions
Developing technology based on understanding the needs of all lives – both humans and living beings in the ecosystem, through a human-centric approach and listening to all community needs.
- INSIGHTS: Data Power Driving Change
Making decisions through comprehensive data analysis, integrating insights from partner networks and communities to develop precise, evidence-based solutions. Our data-driven approach ensures that every action is informed by real-world insights, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
- TECHNOLOGY: Innovation for All Lives
Combining telecommunications expertise with AI and Big Data to create accessible solutions for sustainable quality of life enhancement.
