Ceremony Celebrates Newborn Elephant in Thailand

A recent traditional elephant blessing ceremony in Pattaya, Thailand, celebrated the birth of a male calf named 'Phlai Kanun', marking the sixth elephant birth this year at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Meanwhile, Wild Earth Allies is conducting a detailed study of wild elephants' diets in Cambodia's Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, documenting 87 plant species through dung analysis to aid in conservation efforts. In West Bengal, India, a baby elephant named Beer, rescued from floodwaters in 2020, has made a remarkable recovery, now thriving at four years old. Historical reflections reveal the Tower Circus's legacy with elephants, which were central to its performances until animals were phased out in 1990. These developments highlight both cultural celebrations and conservation challenges facing elephants in various contexts.