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Ailing Thai tusker ‘Sak Surin’ to be quarantined before airlift
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
The National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala is preparing to quarantine the ailing Thai tusker Sak Surin (named Muthu Raja in Sri Lanka) before it is airlifted by the Thai Government to a sanctuary where it will be cared for and be finally free.
Sri Lanka has to ensure it is free from foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, and tuberculosis.
The abused tusker, determined by the Thai Government to be “not in good health and was in poor living conditions’’ for several years following information by environmentalists, was moved to the Dehiwala Zoo on November 9 at the request of the Thai Government.
After examining the animal last year, Thai experts concluded that parading Sak Surin in temple processions must stop immediately.
The 30-year-old tusker was gifted by the Thai Government to Sri Lanka in 2001 and its ownership was transferred to the Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama. It was one of three the Thai Government gifted.
Sak Surin was moved to the Dehiwala Zoo on November 9 at the request of the Thai Government . Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
The animal had been suffering from a limp for several years and yet was paraded in peraheras. Animal rights activists and environmentalists raised the alarm that the animal was being mistreated and abused. They said the Thai Embassy moved to act after they raised the health and abuse issues.
The animal had been seen limping. Its left front leg appeared to be stiff and the elephant was moving with difficulty.
Director of Animal Health and Nutrition at the zoo, Dr Rajapaksalage Chandana Rajapaksa said that although the Thai Government has not officially asked about a quarantine period, it has sent a list of quarantine requirements such as one month of quarantine, several blood tests, assurance that Sri Lanka is free of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, and tuberculosis.
“The Government veterinary health authority, the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) has to officially reply to the Thai Government. We have to inform the DAPH of the condition of the animal’s health.”
Dr Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka is not free of the said diseases.
“We would have to have meetings with the Thai health authorities and give an assurance that the animal is free of the said diseases, or that the area where the animal is held is disease free. Next week, a team of Thai veterinary officials is coming to Sri Lanka to check whether the animal is fit to fly. After that that they will check the animal’s health and hold discussions with the zoo veterinary team and officially inform us to quarantine the animal.’’
He said zoo veterinarians were able to completely heal the two abscesses in the animal’s hip areas.
National Zoological Gardens Director General Thilak Premakantha told the Sunday Times a quarantine process will begin as soon as the Thai Government via the embassy officially requests it.
“The tusker’s health has progressed, the abscesses have completely healed, if we could keep the animal for a longer period and set up a hydro therapy unit at the zoo we are confident we can heal that as well,” he said.
Mr Premakantha said the animal is temporarily held at the request of the Thai Embassy. This came about after animal rights activists highlighted ill treatment of the tusker at Kande Viharaya.
Activists asked the Thai Government to intervene and place the animal at Ridiyagama Safari Park. The elephant was taken to the Dehiwala Zoo after Thai Ambassador and Ven. Kokavita Vipulasara thera, chief incumbent of Kande Viharaya, informed zoo officials the animal needs to be moved to the zoo.
When the Thai Government reached the Department of National Zoological Gardens, the Thai officials had been given the discretion of choosing between Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ridiyagama and Dehiwala Zoo.
The embassy chose the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala pointing out that it would be difficult for them to monitor the animal in far off areas.
Mr Premakantha said it is difficult to treat an animal in an open enclosure with constant monitoring and providing veterinary care throughout.
“The animal was previously at Kande Viharaya. We don’t know if the Thai Embassy took back custody of the animal. As the animal was a captive elephant gifted to Sri Lanka, it needs to be registered at the Department of Wildlife Conservation.’’
The Thai Government issued a statement on May 31 and said tusker Sak Surin will be moved for medical treatment.
According to the statement, plans to airlift it have been delayed as it has a musth period — a condition of heightened aggression and unpredictable behaviour occurring annually in certain male animals. 
It is said that the zoo’s veterinarians, keepers and management had taken good care of the animal during that stage and managed to treat the abcess on both of its hind legs, while it awaits treatment for its left front leg in a governmental elephant facility in Thailand.
Panchali Panapitiya, executive director of Rally for Animal Rights and Environment, said that the Wildlife Ministry, two wildlife ministers, director general of wildlife as well as previous and the present director general of National Zoological Gardens did not intervene when repeated attempts were made to get them to take actions against the tusker being exploited at the Aluthgama Kande Viharaya.
But, Zoological Gardens DG Premakantha said he had responded to the Thai Government’s request and temporarily cared for it. He said its health has improved.
Ms Panapitiya said the elephant was subjected to inhumane treatment, put to work, and for tourist rides. The tusker was also restrained using hobble (spiked chains) and continuously paraded at peraharas islandwide without rest.
She wrote to the Thai Government asking for its intervention as the Sri Lankan authorities did not take action. She said the initial request was to get the tusker moved to Ridiyagama Safari Park in Hambantota if the plan was to keep the animal.
But, the Thai Government wants the return of the animal and move it to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre’s elephant hospital for treatment.
| July repatriation for elephant Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this week that Sak Surin is expected to be flown back to Thailand in July. The Thai Embassy Colombo has been working closely with related agencies in Sri Lanka and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to proceed with related matters, such as the making of a safe cage and the required permission, the ministry said. | |
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