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‘Sak Surin’ : Thai team preparing for elephant airlift
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Thai wildlife officials have arrived in Sri Lanka to make pre-flight preparations to repatriate the emaciated elephant ‘Sak Surin’ (named Muthu Raja in Sri Lanka) to an elephant conservation centre.
The team includes officials from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, representatives of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and veterinarians.
A crate is to be built by the Thai authorities.
‘Sak Surin’, ailing from abscesses and other health issues, was moved to the National Zoological Gardens from Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama. Sak Surin is one of three elephants the Thai Government gifted to Sri Lanka in 2001. Concerns about the animal and its treatment were raised by environmentalists.
Sak Surin' (Muthu Raja ) seen at the Dehiwela zoo yesterday as preparations are being made for its repatriation. Pic by Eshan Fernando
National Zoological Gardens Director General Thilak Premakantha said the Thai veterinary team is evaluating the animal’s fitness to be flown back.
“We are only temporarily keeping the animal until they take it back to their country, we are only adhering to a request made by the Thai embassy,’’ he said.
A senior official of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) who claimed anonymity said Thai officials met with the head of the wildlife department and were discussing obtaining CITES clearance.
Sri Lanka might have to act as the exporting party even though the animal is a re-export and prepare documents, while Thailand needs to be the importer, he said.
The quarantine period was discussed. Wildlife officials explained that this depends on talks with the zoo. Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health would communicate the process to the Thai authorities.
The Sunday Times learned that the Thai team of four includes two veterinarians, official in charge of CITES and an official who documents their activities. The team had arrived at the National Zoological Gardens on Wednesday to discuss the repatriation.
Two Thai mahouts also arrived to help Sak-Surin familiarise itself with the crate being built by Thai authorities.
Sources at the zoo said that online meetings were held on Thursday to discuss the elephant’s health and assurance that Sri Lanka is free of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, and tuberculosis.
The Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Chanadana Sooriyabanadara declined to comment saying the repatriation is a diplomatic matter.
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