The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) recently hosted a ‘spirit retrieving’ ceremony for Sak Surin, the 30-year-old repatriated Thai elephant, at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang.
The Hong Khwan ceremony, a traditional practice observed by mahouts in Northern Thailand, was held to aid the elephant’s health and ongoing treatment for an injury sustained to one of his legs.
The event was presided over by Caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Warawut Silpa-archa who also announced an upcoming delegation to Sri Lanka to discuss the welfare of the remaining Thai elephants there.
After returning from Sri Lanka on July 3, Sak Surin underwent a 30-day quarantine and is currently staying at an elephant hospital located opposite the conservation center. He is being prepared for treatment to alleviate his leg injury and a cataract in his right eye.
Visitors can now observe Sak Surin at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center Lampang daily from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM. (NNT)
