On 28 March 2025, just after noon, a magnitude 7.7–7.9 earthquake struck the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. The epicenter was close to Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike Myanmar since 1912, and one of the deadliest in Myanmar's modern history. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Myanmar and significant damage in neighboring Thailand. The earthquake directly killed over 5,000 people in Myanmar with an estimated 11,400 people injured and hundreds more have been reported missing. And since then, the area has continued to experience quakes and aftershocks.
Thankfully, we’ve heard from our friends in the region and they are safe! But much remains to be seen about how elephants and their caretakers will be able to fare in the future. Since COVID-19, Myanmar has continued to struggle through civil unrest, flooding, and now earthquakes. We are so grateful for the safety of our partners and appreciative of their continued efforts to help elephants in the region despite so much personal strife!
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