Global Courant
COLOMBO – A sick Thai elephant is being prepared for an arduous journey home from Sri Lanka after a diplomatic dispute between the two Asian countries over the animal’s alleged mistreatment.
The Thai authorities gave 29-year-old Muthu Raja – also known in his hometown as Sak Surin – to Sri Lanka in 2001.
But they demanded it back last year after allegations it had been tortured and neglected while housed in a Buddhist temple in the south of the island.
The elephant was in pain and covered in abscesses when the Sri Lankan government took the elephant back from the temple in November.
Most of his wounds have since healed while the elephant recuperates at a zoo on the outskirts of Colombo, but damage to the animal’s paw still requires advanced hydrotherapy treatment.
“Arrangements have been made to fly the elephant back to Thailand for this type of therapy,” vet Madusha Perera, who has nursed the animal back to health since its rescue, told AFP on Friday.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told parliament this month that he personally expressed Colombo’s regret to the Thai king over the alleged mistreatment of the elephant.
“I was able to restore trust between the two countries after an audience with their king,” said Gunawardena.
Wildlife Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said Thailand was “adamant” in its demands for the elephant’s return after its ambassador to Colombo visited Muthu Raja at the temple last year and found the creature in poor health.
Neglected Thai elephant prepares for jumbo
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