LAMPANG, March 12 – A parade of ‘jumbos’ was held in this northern province today to raise public awareness about elephant conservation and to campaign against the illegal ivory trade on the eve of the National Elephant Day on Wednesday.
Nipakorn Singhabhudathangkoon, head of the National Elephant Institute of the Forestry Industry Organisation led four elephants from the Elephant Conservation Centre in a parade from the governor’s residence in the municipality to the symbolic city centre at the 5-way intersection clock tower.
Centre staff dressed in northern traditional Lanna costume holding multicoloured flags joined the procession.
The parade was designed to promote National Elephant Day activities and to campaign against the illegal trade in elephants, ivory and in elephant torture.
Activities to mark National Elephant Day will be held tomorrow at Lampang’s Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Hang Chat district.
Participants will enjoy activities with the jumbos. Special treats for 60 pachyderms will be set in a large wooden tray or Stoke Chang.
