We shouldn’t need iron fist to protect delicate nature

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

We shouldn’t need iron fist to protect delicate nature

PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION 

 

BANGKOK: -- Once again the authorities have fallen back on the double-edged sword of Article 44 and its absolute power. Yesterday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a new order under the legislation to end unfinished business regarding the registration of domesticated elephants.

 

If achieved, registration would have a great impact in conserving wild elephants, which has long been the country's most critical wildlife management challenge.

Under the order, the origins of the country's estimated 3,000 domesticated elephants will be checked. Their certificates of identity will be verified and their DNA collected for bloodline checks.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/We-shouldnt-need-iron-fist-to-protect-delicate-nat-30296551.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-09-30

[Chris Lawrence]

Article 44 is designed for processes via the coup. Its place in wildlife management are questionable at least. The general has a timetable, but unfortunately no one has mentioned the Generals timetable to the elephant. A great mismanagement of the elephant's life can seriously affected by Article 44. Its sad that this may be the means to control a beautiful animal.

[trogers]

Iron fist needed because of the kind of beast the elephants have to be protected from...

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

We shouldn’t need iron fist to protect delicate nature

And monks shouldn't eat cake

[williamgeorgeallen]

number of captive elephants has fallen in the last 100 years from 100k to about 3k as they are no longer used in logging. there is a push to ban them from being used in tourism which i would imagine would make them worthless other than as zoo attractions.

numbers of wild elephants has fallen steadily over the last 100 years as there habitat has diminished.  the army knocking down a few illegal buildings is not going to be enough to stop the trend. according to this article there are only 2 or 3 thousand of them left in the wild which is barely a viable breeding population.

http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/thaielephant.html

[waldroj]

"...Prayut...issued a new order...regarding the registration of domesticated elephants..."

 

 

Talk about "micro" managing everything - Thailand's other pachyderms will also have chips on their shoulders !

[Kasset Tak]

6 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Article 44 is designed for processes via the coup. Its place in wildlife management are questionable at least. The general has a timetable, but unfortunately no one has mentioned the Generals timetable to the elephant. A great mismanagement of the elephant's life can seriously affected by Article 44. Its sad that this may be the means to control a beautiful animal.

Blame US and CITES for this because its their witch hunt on Thailand for the ivory trade that led to this decision.