Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo,African elephant baby born
First African elephant baby born in captivity in Thailand
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Thailand Sunday saw the first ever birth of an African elephant in captivity at state-owned Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo.
The male baby, whose name is pending a naming contest result, is the only third African elephant in Thailand. Born to his African elephant parents exactly at 4.09 am Sunday morning, he is fathered by Ap and mothered by Jaew, both 17 years old, which were brought to Thailand from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1998.
Zoo director Banyat Insuwan said the baby elephant was healthy and measured 40 kg in weight and 70 cm in height and 100 cm in length. Competitors can send it names in postal postcards to Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, 111, Moo 1, RatchasimaPak Thongchai Road, Muang district, zip code 30000. He did not say what the prize award was for the winner.
The Nation
First African elephant born in Thailand
First African elephant born in Thailand
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Thailand yesterday welcomed the first birth of an African elephant at the state-owned Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo.
The male baby, whose name will be chosen in a contest, is only the third African elephant in Thailand.
Born at 4.09am yesterday, he is fathered by Ap and mothered by Jaew, both 17 years old, who were brought to Thailand from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1998.
Zoo director Banyat Insuwan said the baby elephant was healthy. It weighed 40kg and stood 70cm high and 100cm long.
To name the elephant, people can send names on a postcard to Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, 111, Moo 1, Ratchasima-Pak Thongchai Road, Muang district, zip code 30000.
Banyat said African elephants were generally larger than their Asian counterparts, making them the largest land mammal. They eat for 20 hours each day, consuming around 300kg of food. Their favourite foods are sugar cane, grass, vegetables and fruits.
The Nation
Korat Zoo Water fun-park plan draws fire
ZOOS / ANIMAL WELFARE
Water fun-park plan draws fire
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
The Zoological Park Organisation's plan to build a water amusement park at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo is worrying wildlife advocates. Sophon Dumnui, director-general of the organisation, yesterday unveiled plans to set aside 20 rai of the 545-rai zoo in Nakhon Ratchasima for a 50-million-baht water amusement park.
It will be the country's first fun park in a state-run zoo. Construction is due for completion by the end of next year.
''The park will give visitors more options for spending leisure time, particularly in summer. Visitors can have a good time at the park as well as learning about animals,'' he said.
Entrance would be free.
The interim government has allocated a budget for improving five zoos under the Zoological Park Organisation, in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Songkhla. The budget also covers construction of a new zoo in Ubon Ratchathani.
However, wildlife protection advocate Roger Lohanan, of the Thai Animal Guardian Association, criticised the plan, which he said was purely money-driven as the agency wanted to boost the number of visitors.
''In principle, a zoo and an amusement park have different objectives and should be kept separate.''
Environmentalist Hannarong Yaowaloes said the park should be kept at a distance, so the animals are not annoyed by the noise.
The zoo would have to adhere to strict zoning rules.
Bangkok Post
