ID :
103801
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 11:03
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/103801
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Elephant population declines in number
VIENTIANE, 29 FEB-(KPL) Last year Laos saw a high mortality rate of elephant population meanwhile only one was born, according to Asia Elephants.
Elephants are considered as most important animals whose role has been known as long as the history of Laos but they may face extinction if no proper cooperation and assistance is made, said Manager of Asia Elephants, Mr. Gilles Maurer, on January 24.
Currently most elephants are being used in heavy work such as pulling logs and their food sources are being dwindling, and many are raised in an inappropriate manner, said Mr. Gilles. “These are the reasons why the number of elephants is on decline and they are endangered.
Some people, said Mr. Gilles, believe that elephant ivories and tail hairs are efficacious to enhance physical strength and make human live longer. “This belief makes some people cut elephant tail hairs and some elephants die of diseases when their hairs have been cut.”
The fourth annual Elephant Festival will be held in Viengkeo village, Hongsa district, Sayaboury province and it will see a smaller herd of elephants compared to last year. The annual Elephant Festival has been held since 2007 by Elephant Asia.
The festival is important for educating local visitors and foreign tourists about the endangered plight of Lao elephants, said Mr. Gilles.
Elephants are considered as most important animals whose role has been known as long as the history of Laos but they may face extinction if no proper cooperation and assistance is made, said Manager of Asia Elephants, Mr. Gilles Maurer, on January 24.
Currently most elephants are being used in heavy work such as pulling logs and their food sources are being dwindling, and many are raised in an inappropriate manner, said Mr. Gilles. “These are the reasons why the number of elephants is on decline and they are endangered.
Some people, said Mr. Gilles, believe that elephant ivories and tail hairs are efficacious to enhance physical strength and make human live longer. “This belief makes some people cut elephant tail hairs and some elephants die of diseases when their hairs have been cut.”
The fourth annual Elephant Festival will be held in Viengkeo village, Hongsa district, Sayaboury province and it will see a smaller herd of elephants compared to last year. The annual Elephant Festival has been held since 2007 by Elephant Asia.
The festival is important for educating local visitors and foreign tourists about the endangered plight of Lao elephants, said Mr. Gilles.
