Burma’s timber elephants are dying out

Press, 8 January 1983, Page 17

Burma’s timber elephants are dying out

NZPA New Delhi Burma has a jumbo problem — its timber-getting elephant is dying out. The elephant population in Burma is steadily declining because of illegal hunting, inefficient capture methods, and a low rate of reproduction while in captivity, says a World Wildlife Fund report. Of the 35.000 Asian elephants known to be surviving in South Asia, between 3000 to 6500 are living in the wilds of Burma — the second largest population on the continent after India. An additional 3500 to 4800 are engaged in the timber trade. About 100 elephants are caught. each year for the timber trade. Reports estimate that as many as 60 per cent now die while in captivity. against 10 per cent before World War 11. The reduced average life span for captive elephants, of 60 to 70 years against 80 to 150 for wild elephants, and the low-breeding rate indi«tt>. cate that their present manFtauagement needs improvement.

the report said.

U Toke Gale, a timber elephant expert from Burma, was quoted in the report as saying that effective elephant • management would mean not more than eight hours of work a day for the animal and sufficient rest for breeding, sleeping, and lovemaking. He emphasised that elephants needed to hear “sweet nothings" from their mahouts, and they would reproduce in captivity, “if given enough time to consort with members of the opposite sex."

Elephants are ideal for timber hauling because "they never run out of petrol or engine oil." and all they need is regular feeding and treats of salt and ripe tamarind from time to time, he said.

“An elephant is more versatile and manoeuvrable than a machine for its capability in hilly country, ability to work through the heaviest of downpours, and to push into remote areas.” Mr Gale said.