The Thai elephant, recently repatriated from Sri Lanka, Sak Surin, was moved to a new home today (Friday), at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang province, after the completion of its 30-days at the quarantine centre.
Suratchai Inwiset, director of the National Elephant Institute, said the transfer of Sak Surin to his new home, which is just a stone’s throw from the quarantine centre, went smoothly and took only about half an hour.
He said that Sak Surin did not panic and appeared to be able to settle into the new environment easily, adding that the elephant will not be alone. There are 3 or 4 other elephants and their calves nearby.
A daily time table has been set for Sak Surin. At 9am, he will be taken by a mahout for medical a check-up and then for a walk in the woods until 2pm.
The public will be able visit Sak Surin for the first time from 2pm to 4pm, after a welcoming ceremony on the morning of August 28th, said Suratchai.
Initially, the daily visiting time will be from 2pm to 4 pm, he added.
Regarding the elephant’s illnesses, such as stiff front legs and a cataract, he said that, in addition to the vets at the Elephant Hospital, vets from university hospitals will be invited to treat the animal.
