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FIVE dozen elephants used their trunks on Monday to scoop up bananas, melons and pineapples from baskets at a special buffet laid on in Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya to celebrate the national animal.
Today, they are more likely to be part of tourist attractions – where the animals are often mistreated, however, say rights activists.
“We plan to reduce the exploitation of elephants as much as possible,” said Laithongrien Meepan, the manager of the Elephant Kraal and Village in Ayutthaya, where the buffet took place on Thailand’s Elephant Day.
At the event, a Buddhist monk sprinkled holy water on some of the elephants and their trainers. Spectators also watched a pair of the animals lock tusks to re-enact a scene from an ancient historic battle.
Laithongrien said nearly a third of the elephants at the event no longer gave rides to visitors, but were available to be petted, bathed and fed.
There are about 3,700 elephants left in the wild in Thailand and up to 4,000 domesticated animals, says British conservation organization EleAid.
Here’s a glimpse of the endearing animals on Elephant Day. – Reuters
A Thai Buddhist monk blesses elephants. Source: Reuters
An elephant feeds on a watermelon. Source: Reuters
Students feed and pat the elephants. Source: Reuters
A baby elephant hides under its mother. Source: Reuters
Sharply dressed elephants in a line. Source: Reuters
Elephants take part in a fighting demonstration together with their Thai mahouts. Source: Reuters
Mahouts pray while sitting on top of elephants. Source: Reuters
The post In pictures: Elephants treated to fruits buffet in national Thai celebration appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com