Myanmar captures 9th rare white elephant
YANGON — Myanmar says it has found a rare, white elephant in the jungles of the western Ayeyarwaddy region.
In this file photo, two white elephants stand near a pond as they bathe at an elephant camp near Uppatasanti Pagoda in Burma’s capital city Naypyidaw in this March 1, 2012. Photo: Reuters
YANGON — Myanmar says it has found a rare, white elephant in the jungles of the western Ayeyarwaddy region.
Forestry official Tun Tun Oo says the 7-year-old female was captured by his department on Friday (Feb 27), a month and a half after it was initially spotted in a forest reserve in Pathein township.
White elephants, actually albinos, have for centuries been revered in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and other Asian nations.
Often pinkish in color, with fair eyelashes and toenails, the animals were normally kept and pampered by monarchs as a symbol of royal power and prosperity — and many people still believe they bring good luck to the country.
Myanmar has eight white elephants in captivity — five in Naypyitaw Zoo and three in Yangon Zoo. Most of them are from the Ayeyarwaddy region. AP
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