Elephant Muthu Raja Airlifted Back to Thailand Following Mistreatment Issues in Sri Lanka

(Photo : Ishara S. Kodikara / Getty Images)
Mistreatment issues prompted the return of elephant Muthu Raja to Thailand from Sri Lanka.

Elephant Muthu Raja was flown from Sri Lanka back to Thailand following allegations of mistreatment.

Airlifted Elephant

A diplomatic dispute erupted between Thailand and Sri Lanka over an elephant that Thailand had given to the latter 20 years earlier. The subject at hand is the alleged mistreatment of Sak Surin, popularly known as Muthu Raja, a 29-year-old Thai elephant. The elephant was transported by flight from Sri Lanka to Thailand on Sunday, July 2. Just after 2:00 PM on Sunday, the 4,000-kg, 29-year-old beast landed in Thailand.

Sak Surin, afterwards known as Muthu Raja, was a gift by the Thai royal family to the Sri Lankan government in 2001.

Sak Surin, A.K.A. Muthu Raja

Gifted to a temple, Sak Surin was given a new name and honored during religious processions. According to the advocacy group Rally for Animal Rights and Environment RARE, the elephant was mistreated, tortured, and neglected.

It urged Thai authorities to get involved last year. Muthu Raja had been residing at the temple of Kande Viharaya up to that point. After being made to work with a forestry crew, the elephant purportedly developed a stiff leg, and RARE claimed that its wounds-some of which were supposedly inflicted by its handler-had gone untreated for a long time.

This is not the end for Muthu Raja; rather, it is the beginning of a new life, according to RARE creator Panchali Panapitiya. In November of last year, the temple agreed to send the elephant to Sri Lanka's National Zoological Garden, the BBC reports.

Mistreatment and Health Issues

When Muthu Raja was rescued from the Buddhist temple last year, Muthu Raja was in distress and covered in abscesses, according to the zoo's Madusha Perera. Nevertheless, as of Friday, the elephant's abscesses had mostly disappeared. However, Perera said that the zoo hadn't been able to adequately cure its leg because of the lack of facilities.

According to Perera, as soon as the elephant returns to Thailand, the specialists will take care of the issues so that eventually he can function normally. The elephant may receive hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and acupuncture in Thailand, according to the visiting Thai veterinarian.

Also Read: Save The Elephants Day: Senior Elephant From Zoo Knoxville Retires to Sanctuary for End-Of-Life Care Plan

Management

Varawut Silpa-archa, the Thai environment minister, announced that Thailand has ceased exporting elephants until Bangkok's diplomatic representatives examine the circumstances of those currently abroad.

At the airport, Varawut commented on the elephant's arrival and claimed it landed in Chiang Mai flawlessly. Five hours of travel later, Muthu Raja is fine and in good health. This comes after the Thai elephant was flown aboard an Ilyushin Il-76 freight plane in a steel crate, according to WION.

Six people, comprising two veterinarians and four elephant trainers (mahouts), oversaw the travel, which took around six hours, according to NBC News.

Thailand Elephants

Since ancient times, Asian elephants have served as a symbol of Thailand, and today, the majestic beasts are acknowledged as a component of the country's identity. The Thai elephant, or "chang" in spoken Thai, has been a significant part of Thailand's history and continues to be a lasting emblem of the country. Given the elephant's close ties to Buddhism and Hinduism, it also holds a special spiritual importance, Phang Nga Elephant Park says.