Tourists ride Cambodian domesticated elephants at the Bayon temple front gate.Saturday, 03 December 2011
Posted by Serath
PHNOM PENH, Dec 3 (Cambodia Herald) - Cambodia has an estimated 400 to 500 wild elephants but less than 100 domesticated ones due to low demand and a traditional reluctance to breed the animals.
"In 2007-2008, one hundred domesticated elephants were found but we estimate that the number has since decreased," says Tuy Sereivatana, an elephant project manager at Flora and Fauna International, pointing to the absence of breeding and deaths every year.
Elephants have long been an important part of Khmer culture and have traditionally been used for transport, especially by ethnic minority groups in highland areas.
“People now use motorcycles in every village, even in rural areas," Tuy Sereivatana says.
Law and tradition is also reducing the number of domesticated elephants. "Our law strictly prohibits elephant trapping," the conservation officer said. "People believe that elephant breeding will bring misfortune to their village unless they host a wedding and pray for them.”
PHNOM PENH, Dec 3 (Cambodia Herald) - Cambodia has an estimated 400 to 500 wild elephants but less than 100 domesticated ones due to low demand and a traditional reluctance to breed the animals.
"In 2007-2008, one hundred domesticated elephants were found but we estimate that the number has since decreased," says Tuy Sereivatana, an elephant project manager at Flora and Fauna International, pointing to the absence of breeding and deaths every year.
Elephants have long been an important part of Khmer culture and have traditionally been used for transport, especially by ethnic minority groups in highland areas.
“People now use motorcycles in every village, even in rural areas," Tuy Sereivatana says.
Law and tradition is also reducing the number of domesticated elephants. "Our law strictly prohibits elephant trapping," the conservation officer said. "People believe that elephant breeding will bring misfortune to their village unless they host a wedding and pray for them.”
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