A dozen elephants marched through Bangkok's car-choked streets Monday in a protest by their handlers against the city's plans to ban begging elephants. The ban orders the handlers, or mahouts, to leave the capital with their elephants before Friday or face arrest. City authorities say bringing elephants to Bangkok is dangerous for man and beast. A few weeks ago, an elephant broke loose from its handler and charged down one of Bangkok's busiest streets before a veterinarian with a tranquilizer gun brought it down. Other elephants have been struck by cars or have tripped into open manholes.
Government officials blame doting tourists for teaching the monkeys to accept handouts.
Wine yields more profits than conventional milk, as the dairy industry hits a low on prices. Roughly 110 acres are being set aside for conservation of the snakes and water fowl, including the sandhill crane. The two were not arrested when they were caught Thursday, said Michael Pangiran, an official of the Sarawak state's Forestry Department. They were allowed to return to the United States, he said. The Speleological Society's executive vice president, said he had no information on the incident.