What Do Elephants Eat Every Day? The Giant Diet Behind Phuket’s Rescued Elephants

August 2026

• Leaves, twigs, and tree bark — especially bamboo, teak, and fig leaves. Sometimes they even peel off bark for a tasty snack.
• Tender grass in forests and meadows. Occasionally, they pull up roots for an extra boost of energy.
• Fruit is their ultimate favorite: bananas, mangoes, watermelons, papayas, and various wild fruits.
• Aquatic plants such as lotus or reeds when they are near a water source.

Did you know wild elephants eat 200–300 kilograms per day? Having sufficient, nutritious food is crucial to their health and well-being.

If we want to give elephants a better life, let’s support ethical, elephant-friendly tourism!

Meet our elephants and learn how our care team guides each visit.

See how to reach our Koh Siray sanctuary, compare program prices and explore what elephants eat every day.