Dig In! Thai Elephants Indulge In A Scrumptious Buffet

By - 318 words

Language

Reading Level

Listen to Article

While Elephants are revered by the local people of Thailand they are also used as beasts of burdens. In the past, it was to help fight battles. Today, these majestic animals are extensively utilized to help carry wood for the logging industry. It is therefore, nice to hear that on National Elephant Day the mighty mammals are treated like the royalty they are, and served with meals fit for a king.

One of the biggest celebrations took place at the Pattaya Resort in Thailand's Chonburi Province. Fifty-two elephants, some donned in saffron attire, arrived bright and early for the big day. Each was first blessed with holy water by a senior mahout or professional elephant rider and then led to the grand feast, which comprised of an unlimited supply of their most favorite treats - bananas, dragon fruits, pineapples, assorted melons, apples and the list goes on and on! The elephants ate till they were satiated before trudging back with their owners, for a good night's rest.

Though called National Elephant Day, the festivities that took place on March 13th this year, stretch out for an entire week. Besides providing a well-deserved treat and break for the hard-working animals, they are also aimed to raise awareness about the mammal's dwindling population. One smart elephant even helped convey the message by painting a dead elephant and the words 'Don't kill me', right beside it.

And dire as it may sound, it has a sad ring of truth to it. That's because since the 1900's the number of elephants in Thailand have gone from over 100,000 to just 3,000- 4,000, thanks to the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal poaching.

Asian Elephants are not the only ones that are in trouble. African elephants are facing the same fate. Hopefully, the public and officials will come together and save this mighty mammal from disappearing completely, from the wild.

Resources: Chinadaily.com, africanpoint.net, dailymail.co.uk

Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
120 Comments
  • julianaover 9 years
    HOW CUTE
    • diamondkid
      diamondkidover 9 years
      Lol.
      • koolaidalmost 10 years
        that was so cool
        • dogs101over 11 years
          i would love to be there i love animals
          • ashantim
            ashantimover 11 years
            Oh cute
            • coolae
              coolaeover 11 years
              Omg thats like a buffet for elephants I wish I wear an elephant who lived thear.thay are treated like royalty.plus are so big thay could cruch you and thay get to paint which is my fav thing to do.plus I like fruit thats my fav thing to eat I love bannans soooooo MUCH THERIE THE BEST THING EVER TO BE FOUD ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
              • westiepup614
                westiepup614over 11 years
                Wow! I wish I could have a buffet like that!
                • Banyarover 11 years
                  cool
                  • crystalspirit
                    crystalspiritover 11 years
                    Wow, that is amazing!
                    • harrypotter1357
                      harrypotter1357over 11 years
                      i thought elephants were almost extinct