ELEPHANT
Elephants (ช้าง) hav ealways played an integral part in Thai culture and Thai history. All Thai kings had a stable of white elephants and the animals once decorated the national flag and currency. Only ten years ago Thailand still had 4000 elephants. Nowadays only 2500 remain.
A few centuries ago elephants were used as war weapons.
Thai elephant
In year 2000 a spontaneous and popular movement happened in order to rescue an elephant called "Motala". This elephant has walked on a mine and one of its legs has to be imputed.
In year 2000 several elephants were returned to Thailand. They have been sent a few years ago in Indonesia to help round up wild elephants whose increasing numbers were considered a threat to people and their crops. Once again a popular movement supported by deputies has gathered the money to pay for the repatriation of Thai elephants.
Thai people love elephants. But other problems remain for elephants in Thailand. The forest surface has decreased a lot due to deforestation and eucalyptus plantations and now only represent 28 % of the Thailand. Shriking forests, poaching and conflicts with farmers have hit Thai elephants very hard.
Thai elephant
With less work in the forests (there is no longer much logging work, their main former occupation), less food in the forests, some mahouts bring their elephants in big cities like Bangkok. For mahouts it can be a good opportunity to earn money. Thai people and tourists have a soft spot in their hearts for the elephant.
Elephants roaming in city
Thai mahouts say that they have no other way of making a living for their animals. But Bangkok streets are dangerous for elephants. They get sick from breathing exhaust fumes, drinking dirty water, walking over concrete pavements, getting smashed by cars. Also it is not always easy to find 200 kg of herbs everyday in Bangkok. Elephants can endamage roads and are also dangerous for citizens. In year 2000 a bull elephant went berserk in the heart of Bangkok when someone teased it with a stick of sugar cane.
Bangkok administration has tried to chase elephants from the city. Several elephants died of starvation. The government has cracked down street elephants in cities. Many elephants have been diverted to cities suburbs.
ELEPHANT
Elephants (ช้าง) hav ealways played an integral part in Thai culture and Thai history. All Thai kings had a stable of white elephants and the animals once decorated the national flag and currency. Only ten years ago Thailand still had 4000 elephants. Nowadays only 2500 remain.
A few centuries ago elephants were used as war weapons.
Thai elephant
In year 2000 a spontaneous and popular movement happened in order to rescue an elephant called "Motala". This elephant has walked on a mine and one of its legs has to be imputed.
In year 2000 several elephants were returned to Thailand. They have been sent a few years ago in Indonesia to help round up wild elephants whose increasing numbers were considered a threat to people and their crops. Once again a popular movement supported by deputies has gathered the money to pay for the repatriation of Thai elephants.
Thai people love elephants. But other problems remain for elephants in Thailand. The forest surface has decreased a lot due to deforestation and eucalyptus plantations and now only represent 28 % of the Thailand. Shriking forests, poaching and conflicts with farmers have hit Thai elephants very hard.
Thai elephant
With less work in the forests (there is no longer much logging work, their main former occupation), less food in the forests, some mahouts bring their elephants in big cities like Bangkok. For mahouts it can be a good opportunity to earn money. Thai people and tourists have a soft spot in their hearts for the elephant.
Elephants roaming in city
Thai mahouts say that they have no other way of making a living for their animals. But Bangkok streets are dangerous for elephants. They get sick from breathing exhaust fumes, drinking dirty water, walking over concrete pavements, getting smashed by cars. Also it is not always easy to find 200 kg of herbs everyday in Bangkok. Elephants can endamage roads and are also dangerous for citizens. In year 2000 a bull elephant went berserk in the heart of Bangkok when someone teased it with a stick of sugar cane.
Bangkok administration has tried to chase elephants from the city. Several elephants died of starvation. The government has cracked down street elephants in cities. Many elephants have been diverted to cities suburbs.
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