Disappearing Asian Elephants (20 images)

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  • CHIANG MAI - March 3 2006: A mahout, or keeper, and his dog keep watch while elephants graze. Mahouts are very important, even on parks and reserves, to make sure the elephants do not cross into farmers lands and eats crops or damage property. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000 - of which barely half are in the wild.

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 28 2006: Volunteers help mahouts wash elephants at the Elephant Nature Park. This gives the mahouts a chance to look over their charges' skin for cuts and possible infections. Large amounts (up to 50 lbs a dose) of expensive medicines are needed once an elephant becomes ill. Many environmentally based programs provide better experiences for both people and animals than entertainment based shows, Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000 - of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 27 2006: Controlled burns mark the start of the dry season in the hills above Elephant Nature Park. The park is a private venture started up as a sanctuary for older and abused elephants that previously worked in logging operations or in tourist shows. The controlled burns clear underbrush and provide rich soils for farmers to plant in. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 24 2006: An elephant is chained at The Mae Sa Elephant Park. Every year both tourists and elephants are killed at such entertainment-based facilities. Many visitors believe the only way to interact with the animals is through the entertainment based shows where the animals perform tricks such as kicking soccer balls, painting pictures, and giving rides. However, many environmentally based programs provide better experiences for both people and animals. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - MARCH 2, 2006: A young elephant tries to get its mother's attention at Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. Females usually have one calf after a pregnancy of 18-22 months and give birth every three to four years. The calves weigh about 200 pounds (100kg) at birth. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000 - of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • NORTHERN THAILAND - MARCH 3: Elephants bathe and "dust" regularly to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and infection. Here one throws dirt on its back after exiting a river in Northern Thailand, applying mud and dirt as a "sunscreen." Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000 - of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 27 2006: Asian elephants have rather poor vision capable of seeing clearly only at very short distances - up to about 10 metres. In wooded areas, elephants can lose sight of each other, so they emit rumbling purrs in order to keep in touch. Some of the sounds made by elephants can be heard by other elephants from over 19km away. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 27 2006: A curious baby elephant seeks shelter with its mother at Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. Females usually have one calf after a gestation period of 18-22 months and give birth every three to four years. The calves weigh about 200 pounds (100kg) at birth. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - MARCH 3 2006: Elephants' mahouts, or keepers, watch while a family bathes. Mahouts are very important, even on parks and reserves, to make sure the elephants do not cross into farmers lands and eats crops or damage property. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent?have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • NORTHERN THAILAND- FEB 28 2006: An elephant is seen through a grove of trees near Elephant Haven, a refuge for the animals in Northern Thailand. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 28 2006: An elephant and its mahout make their way down a trail in the backwoods of northern Thailand. With their numbers dropping at such an amazing rate, many experts fear the next few years may prove to be the breaking point for these revered animals. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - MARCH 2 2006: A mahout, or keeper, watches a family of elephants graze at the Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. Mahouts are very important, even on parks and reserves, to make sure the elephants do not cross into farmers lands and eats crops or damage property. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 24 2006: An elephant kicking soccer ball at The Mae Sa Elephant Park. The animals perform tricks such as removing tourist's hats, painting pictures, and giving rides. However, they are usually treated very poorly at such entertainment-based facilities. Many visitors believe the only way to interact with the animals is through the entertainment based shows, when many environmentally based programs provide better experiences for both people and animals. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI - FEB 22 2006: An elephant removes a tourist's hat at The Mae Sa Elephant Park. The animals perform tricks such as kicking soccer balls, painting pictures, and giving rides. However, they are usually treated very poorly at such entertainment-based facilities. Many visitors believe the only way to interact with the animals is through the entertainment based shows, when many environmentally based programs provide better experiences for both people and animals. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • Bangkok, Thailand - FEB 17 2006: A young elephant almost collides with a car on the streets of Bangkok. The official reason "domesticated" elephants are illegal in cities is because they are involved in so many traffic accidents. City life is terrible for the elephant - they can eat between 250 - 525 pounds of food a day in the wild - about six to eight percent of their own body weight in vegetation each day. To accomplish this, they spend as many as 18 hours per day feeding. These massive animals can drink 26 gallons (100 liters) of water at one time and, when thirsty, more than 55 gallons (208 liters) within minutes. Obviously, city life is not friendly to these needs. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI, Thailand - FEB 27 2006: A volunteer helps feed fresh fruits and vegetables to an elephant at the Elephant Nature Park. In the wild, elephants can eat between 250 - 525 pounds of food a day. Environmental tourism in the biggest tool being used to make sustainable models for elephants to thrive, both physically and economically. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI, Thailand - FEB 27 2006: A tourist touches elephants' trunks at The Mae Sa Elephant Park. Many visitors believe the only way to interact with the animals is through the entertainment based shows, when many environmentally based programs provide better experiences for both people and animals. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI, Thailand - MARCH 1, 2006: A mahout, or keeper, and his dog keep watch while elephants graze. Mahouts are very important, even on parks and reserves, to make sure the elephants do not cross into farmers lands and eats crops or damage property. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • CHIANG MAI, Thailand - FEB 28 2006: Elephants bathe and "dust" regularly to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and infection. Here one exits a river in Northern Thailand before applying mud and dirt as a "sunscreen." Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

  • NORTHERN THAILAND - FEB 28 2006: A young elephant peers through the bush at "Elephant Haven," a refuge for the animals in Northern Thailand. Asian elephants - strong, social, and intelligent - have been trained for thousands of years for use in transportation, labor, and ritual. In Thailand, Elephants are of immense cultural importance, but their numbers are shockingly plummeting. In 1905, there were over 100,000 elephants in this land - now they are estimated at less than 5,000, of which barely half are in the wild. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting)

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