Elephants in Thailand are among the most remarkable animals. It’s not just about the size and unusual body shape. They have developed intelligence and are aware of themselves as personality. All this causes genuine interest among tourists especially if you have the opportunity to talk with these gray giants personally. Therefore, the question: “Are there elephants in Thailand,” asks almost everyone who goes there for the first time.
The first meeting of a hundred elephant is a storm of emotions. It’s always a little scary to see a mountain-like living next to you. colossus. At the same time you are having childish delight. After all, the animal’s gaze is so much crazy that it seems to be Now he greets and speaks, shaking his huge head.
Elephants are very emotional. If they don’t like something, then they gloomy and thoughtful, in the marriage period may be inadequate, and with good mood animals are able to joke. As with the tribesmen, so with passersby. They have a great sense of rhythm, they are able to memorize music. Sometimes you can see the moment when the elephant entertains itself, rhythmically dancing under unknown motive that he “twists” in his head.
Contents
Varieties
Today, there are two types of elephants. This is african and indian. The latter are also called Asian. It is they live in Thailand.
- Asian elephants are smaller than African. Inhabitants of the Black Savannah continents have a height at withers to 7.5 meters with a weight of about seven tons. His Indian congener is never above 3.5 meters and heavier than five tons.
- Lop-eared is more characteristic of Africans. Ears Asian elephants are relatively small and strongly pointed to the bottom.
- If there are two processes on the tip of the trunk, then it is African, and Asians have only one finger.
- There are differences in the tusks. Asian elephant females do not have them in general, while the males are small and almost straight. Meet and unarmed individuals of the male sex. Africans have long tusks and curved.
- The skin of Indian elephants is relatively smooth, and its color is not only dark gray, but brown. Africans have brown color, and wrinkles on their skin more.
African elephants are aggressive; they are practically not trained. give in Indian is peaceful (to a certain limit) and friendly. But this is the result of centuries of breeding, since it was in this part of the World that elephants were used as working cattle. Evil and dangerous animals simply did not allow breeding.
History and Legends
There are many religious rituals associated with elephants. In hindu the pantheon of god of well-being and wisdom – Ganesh – has the head of an elephant. Therefore, the giants enjoy the love and respect associated with holy trembling.
Elephant – the sacred animal of Thailand national symbol. He personifies the trinity of the religious spirit, the king and the people. Now his image is in Thai naval flag, and until 1917 it was on state.
Traditionally, Thai elephants were used as transport. tool and for clearing the jungle. In battle, they are furious and frightened, they cease to distinguish their own from others, therefore, the greater degrees exerted psychological pressure on the enemy. On today they have the role of artists in various shows, elephant riding in thailand part of most sightseeing programs. And it enjoys great popular with tourists. However, in hard-to-reach areas countries they are still dragging weights and doing other work.
Royal white elephants in Thailand
White elephant in Thailand is related to royal symbols authorities. There is a special law by which His Majesty has special ownership of all albino elephants. Subject, found and transferred to the palace such an animal, provided lifelong maintenance. Therefore, among the people they are also a symbol of incredible luck. The status of the main national animal for Thai white elephants secured in 1963 by decree Royal Department of Forestry.
Albinos (Chang Samkhan) created a particularly comfortable environment, they surrounded by attention and false love. Among the many public institutions there is one that is occupied solely by providing their content. White elephants are not used at work. Only in religious ceremonies involving individuals royal surname. For most Thais, such a fate can only dream about.
Everyday life
The exact number of how many elephants in Thailand, you will not tell no one. But the role of these animals in the daily life of the country is very is great. Using the gigantic power of a smart animal on agricultural work, in construction and war is national tradition. There is no better vehicle for movement through the jungle without roads.
In ordinary gray elephants, life is not as beautiful as that of whites. They contained on elephant farms and operate from a fourteen year old age to old age is sixty years. However, even them ordinary citizens can only envy, because a separate chapter The country’s constitution is devoted to the rights of elephants and the rules of their application.
For example, the working day of the giants cannot exceed eight hours, they are all provided with medical insurance and pass regular checkups. Their maximum working age is 60 years, but most animals survive to it fails. On average, elephant century lasts 55 years.
The pension for elephants in Thailand is 5000 baht. On such even those who are their masters cannot count the sum. However, it is justified by the great appetite of the animal. For the day he eats up the amount of green mass, which is equal to 8% of its weights.
The gray elephant, despite respect and worship, is a worker with a cat. Therefore, you can buy it if you are sure that you can contain.
How much does an elephant cost in Thailand? To this question no definite answer. Usually focused on the mass of the animal, age and degree of his learning. Average issue price ranges from 1 to 3 thousand dollars.
This is not so much by Russian standards, but it will be more intelligent act buy only a souvenir elephant from Thailand. By the the reason that building a hierarchy of relationships with animals is very not so easy.
How elephants are raised and trained
Elephant childhood ends in three years. At this age their separated from their mother and begin to train (read more about how elephants are trained in Thailand). Between the driver and the animal is set close, almost kinship, connection, because the elephant retains a reflex following. Raising him is as difficult as human cub. The process takes not only all mental, but also physical strength The method of learning “carrots and sticks” is classic, but punishment becomes a bamboo pole with a metal crescent tip. An ordinary rod, like a horse, pachyderm the animal does not permeate. Violence is rarely used, increasing force of influence as they grow up. There are several schools. learning thai elephants. Usually they are taught the habit of working with vote. Tactile commands are used less frequently.
Elephant Day in Thailand
Annually, on March 13, elephants’ day is celebrated in Thailand. In All cities of the country held solemn processions with these sacred animals decorated with garlands of flowers and bright blankets. They involve animals of all ages – from elephants to pensioners. They end with a grand feast, where serves various vegetarian goodies – fruits, vegetables, and ice cubes in which pieces of watermelon, pineapple and peaches.
These celebrations gather a huge number of people. Tourists just interesting, and Thais sincerely express their gray giants respect. Charity events are organized during the festivities. fundraising fund to protect the “eared.”
Elephant droppings paper and coffee
In Thailand, souvenirs from elephant paper. The basis of the process is litter animal Their manure contains a large amount crushed but undigested plant fiber, which is goes into business. The final product is similar to ordinary cardboard with a rough texture.
Well, the most refined delicacy is the Black coffee variety. Ivory – black bone. Its value is higher than usual in tens times (from $ 1000 per kilogram). A special feature is the way fermentation of grains, as a result of which their taste changes. For this they go from trunk to tail. Connoisseurs note the absence bitterness and a special bouquet of drinks prepared in this way.
