Thai gov't mulling ban on export of elephants

About 3,000 elephants are left in the wild, compared to 20,000 decades ago, while 3,000 have been domesticated, including around 200 jumbos roaming Bangkok streets to beg for money from tourists, a meeting held yesterday at the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department was told.

The department has tabled the proposal banning trade in elephants, but nongovernmental organisations working on wildlife protection and advocacy groups for elephants have opposed it, saying it was not practical but certain conditions should be put in place.

For example, the ban should apply only in incidences where Thai elephants were wanted to boost local tourism or circus shows overseas.

The department is working with several government agencies and the private sector on a national policy to preserve and care for elephants.

A working committee, chaired by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, is discussing four other key objectives of the policy - nationwide registration of all domesticated elephants, care for wild elephants, the Elephants Bill and the “stray elephants in Bangkok” problem.

In the department's proposal, the ban does not include the temporary use of Thai elephants for boosting diplomatic relations or for display in public zoos, which must be authorised by the Cabinet on a casebybase basis.

Those elephants must be at least eight years old and they must be returned to Thailand after serving eight years overseas.

The meeting will decide on the conditions of exports next week.

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