(TH) Elephants' future truncated

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/13242/elephants-future-truncated

Elephants' future truncated

By: APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Published: 13/03/2009 at 12:00 AMNewspaper section:

News<http://www.bangkokpost.com/advance-search/?papers_sec_id=1>

 

The plight of Thailand's elephants has reached a crisis point with the

current herd of captive beasts expected to disappear in the next 14 years,

conservationists say.

 

But the national committee in charge of protecting the welfare of elephants has

not met since 2003 and is badly in need of reform.

 

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is pressing

for the renewal of the committee on Thai elephants and wants it chaired by

the natural resources and environment minister.

 

Department chief Kasemsun Chinnavaso said the committee should be an

effective agency to deal with the serious problems plaguing elephants.

 

" The agency would have the full authority to manage elephants that have

strayed, deal with the illegal trade and be able to adjust the law to keep

up to date with the changing situation, " Mr Kasemsun said.

 

He said state agencies, the private sector, activists and academics could

work together to draft action plans to deal with problems. His proposal will

be submitted to the minister for his consideration and then to the cabinet.

 

Thailand is one of 13 countries where Asian elephants are born in the wild.

It is thought to have a population of 3,000 animals. Huai Kha Khaeng

Wildlife Sanctuary Park in Uthai Thani is home to the biggest population,

with 700.

 

Permanent secretary for natural resources and the environment Saksit Tridech

said the birthrate among captive elephants had plummeted and their survival

rate was diminishing.

 

" We expect captive elephants to disappear within the next 14 years, which

means wild elephants will again be under threat from hunters to serve the

high demand in the market, " Mr Saksit said.

 

Department biologist Mattana Srikrachang said the birthrate among beasts

born in the wild was about 10% a year, compared with less than 7% for

domesticated elephants.

 

" The possibility of the extinction of wild elephants is very low, " she said.

" But the challenge is to educate people.

 

" Elephants should live in the forest, not on a farm or on the streets. In

Bangkok, over 200 stray elephants have been found, especially in the drought

season. "

 

Chatchawan Pisdamkham, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, said

his agency was organising a meeting next week aimed at overcoming hurdles to

improving elephants' quality of life.

 

 

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" Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man

will not himself find peace. " -Albert Schweitzer