Yunnan elephants evoke story-telling by neighbors

Man-elephant interaction in Sri Lanka worth in-depth study

In fact, many people in Sri Lanka regard tame elephants as a highly respected animal. Because elephants have been associated with our culture since ancient times. Even the Tooth Relic of the Buddha in the historic Kandy Dalada Perahera is carried by an elephant. It is a tradition that has continued throughout our history.

But now some villages in Sri Lanka are under threat from wild elephants. Wild elephants cause severe damage, especially to farmers' agricultural products and damage to their property. Not only that, wild elephant attacks kill many people each year. So, on the other hand, wild elephants have become their enemy.

Wild elephants have disrupted life in some villages. The agricultural activities of the farmers have not been carried out properly. Moreover, their families live in fear at all time. They spend their time in fear that wild elephants will come and destroy their houses at any moment. As a result, they may not be able to sleep well at night. Similarly, parents are afraid to send their children out alone as their children will be attacked by elephants. Therefore, it has a very negative effect on the education of children. Sri Lankan government has taken steps to fence off elephants and restrict them to certain areas.

The government has also encouraged farmers to use bullet that do not endanger the lives of elephants. Whatever tactics are used, wild elephants cannot stop coming to the villages. Because many of the areas in which they originally inhabited are now occupied by humans. This is why these wild elephants are invading villages.

It is the duty of all of us to protect elephants. We have to do it unconditionally. In the last few decades, a large number of elephants have been shot and killed for various reasons. In addition, they have been killed by smugglers to obtain ivory. The Chinese government has totally banned the ivory trade. It is a good decision for the safety of the elephants.

We need to protect the existing elephants. The elephant is an animal. We are human. We are superior in mind. So, humans need to protect elephants. If we protect them, as you mentioned, we can connect elephants not only to safaris but also to other cultural festivals. Therefore, it is the duty of all of us to protect the existing elephants. This can be done by implementing well-designed development projects while protecting elephant’s original habitat. Then we will be able to reach sustainable development.

Myanmar people cherish elephants

“In the history of Myanmar, elephants have been prominent. Over the past few millennia, the elephant played its role in agriculture, transport and architecture, making our life much easier. As the seat of the king, the white Asian elephant signals kingship and auspiciousness.” Myanmar reporter Ye Htike said people in his country regard elephants as a treasure.

Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Myanmar had set up 200 plus elephant centers to invite in tourists, providing the animal with a pleasant living environment. Such practice is conducive to local tourism sector and the elephant protection.

Hlaing Win is a staff member at the elephant center near Chuang Thar Beach, where live six elephants. Taking care of the elephants in daily routines, Hlaing Win also told visitors about protection of the Asian elephant. “Elephants vary in nature, and we babysat them according to their dispositions.”

Now some elephant centers offer visitors the elephant-riding activity, while others are trying to drop the service for it is bad for elephant health. A few centers began to plant trees for the animals.

Thailand is an elephant-caring state

Thailand is known as the "Elephant State". Elephants are a symbol of auspiciousness in the hearts of Thai people and are highly respected. Many Thai folklore, literary works, paintings, sculptures, and proverbs are related to elephants. The image of elephants can be seen everywhere in Thailand, especially the crafts carved from teak wood are Thailand's famous tourism souvenirs.

According to Yadakul Prempapranan, the head of the Chiang Mai Ratong Sanctuary, migration is the nature of elephants. Thai elephants walk through the rainforest all year round and often come into contact with humans.

Yadakun believes that effective measures to protect Asian elephants include not purchasing ivory products, protecting the living environment of elephant herds, and establishing elephant rescue centers. The Thai government also protects wild elephants from many aspects, the most important of which is to protect the elephants’ habitat from damage. The protective measures include not destroying forests, not hunting elephants, and spreading knowledge about wild elephant protection to residents.

Finally, the mascots of Yunnan Gateway, the little elephants Daiwei, Jinda, Miaomiao and Xiaoxiao, wish you all a happy Dragon Boat Festival!

By Gateway reporters