Legislation to forbid cruelty to elephants
The government is drafting legislation to protect elephants cruelty and
mistreatment following criticism from an animal rights group.
The proposed law would also designate elephants as the official symbol
and provide regulations for trainers and owners, it said in a statement. Authorities and
police would supervise elephant training camps.
“The government attaches great importance to the protection of elephants and to
Promote their well – being,” it said.
Last month, the United States – based group People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA) released a 10 – minute video showing people beating bound and caged
baby elephants, some of which were bleeding from their ears.
The group demanded that Thailand enact laws to protect elephants against such
abuse, and threatened to launch a tourist boycott if it didn’t.
The government said yesterday the Karen mahout and the injured elephant shown
In the PETA video had been placed under the National Elephant’ Institute, a
conservation centre. _ AP
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