Autonomy: An Indicator of Wellbeing in Rewilded Asian Elephants Connected to Karen Communities in Thailand

Abstract Considering the unique interactions between wild and captive Asian elephants, and conservation efforts’ predominant focus on wild populations, we advocate for a rewilding model that enhances captive elephants’ wellbeing by facilitating more “wild” states. We collaborated with Karen elephant-keeping communities in Thailand, integrating expertise of Karen mahouts and communities’ cultural values concerning elephants and forest conservation. With data collected across seasons and involving six Karen-owned elephants in native forests, mixed-model regression analyses were utilized to develop a wildness index of wellbeing, revealing that increased interaction with natural environments, social engagements with other elephants, and self-directed activities significantly boost autonomy. Results suggest captive elephants can exhibit increased wildness and autonomy within natural forest settings, supporting the potential for rewilding practices that foster both elephant wellbeing and conservation of cultural traditions in human-elephant ecosystems.