Nong Nooch Tropical
Garden celebrated National Elephant Day by providing a great feast for
their revered pachyderms. They also celebrated the birth of two new
calves, calling the births auspicious as they occurred during the lead
up to the event. The day is observed every year to recall the role the
mammals have played in the hearts and history of the kingdom.
Patcharapol Panrak
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden celebrated Thailand’s National
Elephant Day March 13, with the birth of two new calves and a feast for
the older ones.
Director Kampol Tansajja announced the birth of a male and female calf
March 13 from two different cows. Both are healthy and playful.
Veterinarians are monitoring both babies and mothers.
Nong Nooch officials cut
the ribbons to launch the event.
The calves were born to Boonrod, a 16-year-old show
pachyderm able to play basketball and bowl. The second was born to Jing
Jo, 29, which is used to transport tourists around the park. It was
mated with Ning Nong, 19, who had sired 61 previous offspring. The calf
was Jing Jo’s sixth.
Kampol called the births auspicious as they occurred on National
Elephant Day.
Later in the day, the park hosted Sattahip District Chief Phawat
Lertmukda, Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya Director Auttaphol
Wannakij, Chonburi Livestock Officer Nipol Khemglad and local
administrators and tourists for the Elephant Day celebration.
The parade of elephants
makes its way towards the feasting grounds.
Nong Nooch showcased elephant dancing and invited
Joom Noojan, 59, from Chaiyaphun to perform a “bai sri” rite to bless 54
elephants and mahouts before feeding the elephants a big feast of fruit.
Nong Nooch marketing manager Jeeraphrit Sodphermphunlap said Thai
Elephant Day is celebrated every year to recall the role the mammals
have played in the hearts and history of the kingdom. He said it was a
perfect opportunity to highlight the battle for elephants around the
world against extinction.
This beautiful young calf
is healthy and happy.
The calves were born to
Boonrod, a 16-year-old show pachyderm able to play basketball and bowl;
and Jing Jo, 29, which is used to transport tourists around the park.
A young calf enjoys the
sweet taste of its mother’s milk.
Happy pachyderms prepare
to dig in!
Beautiful Thai dancers
celebrate the special occasion.
