DNA tests under way to find origin of 2 young elephants

AYUTTHAYA: DNA test are being carried out to prove whether two young male elephants at a famous kraal in the province were reared there as claimed.

Wildlife authorities are looking into allegations the elephants found during a raid on Dec 12 at Hua Hin zoo of Prachuap Khiri Khan may not be domesticated animals as claimed by their owner. The zoo is thought to be in partnership with the kraal and the elephant may have been on loan.

Led by Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, wildlife crime suppression officials, forensic scientists and veterinarians, known as the Phaya Suea special operations team, yesterday visited the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal in Ayutthaya province to collect DNA samples from the supposed parents and the two young elephants to prove whether they really are biologically related.

During the Hua Hin raid, the team were told 8-year-old Phlai Ko Phraya Phet and 4-year-old Phlai TG belonged to the kraal. The elephants were taken back to the kraal in Ayutthaya where authorities issued the owner with an order calling for the elephants to remain there.

Yesterday’s visit to the kraal, however, prompted protests from the owner who initially refused to allow the DNA tests and insisted all elephants kept there were legal and had proper livestock identification certificates issued by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA).

After about three hours of talks the kraal agreed to allow the wildlife inspection team to take DNA samples from the two young elephants and two other adult elephants that were said to be the parents for DNA testing at three laboratories. One test will be carried out at the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, another at Mahidol University and the other at a privately run lab.

Romthongsai Miphan, the kraal owner, insisted all elephants kept at the kraal were legal and that they all belong to parents kept legally as domestic animals at the kraal. There are no wild animals kept there illegally, she said.

She asked why the department did not check with the DPA first, as that is the body that issues animal identification certificates for the kraal’s elephants.

PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD A veterinarian gives a young elephant at the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal water before taking a blood sample from the animal for a DNA test yesterday. Wildlife authorities want to prove whether the young elephant is the offspring of...