 |
Thailand's elephant memory
December 14, 1997
Web posted at: 11:07 p.m. EST (0407 GMT)(CNN) -- The ancient royal sport of elephant hunting is being resurrected in Thailand.
Following tradition, spectators chanted while hunters chased 60 elephants on horseback and foot to catch five wild elephants.
The re-enactment of the old custom was an attempt to underscore the importance of elephants to the nation's culture.
Elephant hunting was once the annual royal sporting event in the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Wild elephants were caught and trained to carry the legendary warrior kings.
Some 2,000 wild elephants remain in the jungles of Thailand. Massive logging activities have driven about 3,000 elephants from their natural habitat into the towns and cities where they are registered as domestic elephants.
In the cities, the creatures are used to entertain tourists by performing tricks such as dancing, marching and football playing.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- A place for problem pachyderms - December 10, 1997
- Elephantine fans dance to tunes of Royal Philharmonic - December 9, 1997
- L.A. elephants like smashing pumpkins - October 23, 1997
|
Sound off on our message boards
You said it... |
|
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.